Results 1,541-1,560 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: If we are to have a responsible discussion about a serious situation, let us have it.

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: First, on the question of growth, growth scenarios were provided to spokespersons. On what the consolidation will be-----

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----were the growth over the period to be 1% or 2% per annum. It has been conveyed to the spokespersons what the rate of consolidation would be in those scenarios of 1% or 2% growth. That has been provided. That was the discussion that took place. It is possible for the Opposition to glean from that and to decide on that based on the 1% or 2% scenario.

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: If I was let answer the question it would help.

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: This is Leaders' Questions and, with respect, Deputy Burton is not the leader of the Labour Party. Her leader has asked a question. He indicated to the House that he has no idea what the growth scenarios will be. Deputy Burton was told, as a finance spokesperson, under a 1% scenario and under a 2% scenario for growth, what the rate of consolidation of the public finances would be to 2014....

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is not Deputy Burton's purpose to make a comment at this point in the proceedings.

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: In the normal course of events, as we prepare for a budget in December, we provide for the pre-budget outlook, where much of the information is provided officially and that normally comes in November. On the plan we must now bring forward, once the Government has decided on the growth figure it will run with, which will provide for a credible path to a solution to the public finance problem...

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: In the coming weeks.

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: This is becoming childish. As the spokespersons are aware, there are certain market sensitivities. I would hope that at the meeting today between leaders, we could have a discussion about some of these scenarios in a way that respects the confidentiality and seriousness of those discussions. If at Leaders' Questions we prejudge the publication of the four year plan by providing it prior to...

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: If we want a serious discussion about what the country faces, if everyone is signed up to the 3% deficit target by 2014, the various growth scenarios outlined in the briefing the Opposition party obtained where confidentiality and market sensitivity is being respected, the Deputy will know what the rate of change is and what the rate of consolidation must be. That is available and we can...

Ministerial Appointments (20 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The information requested by the Deputy relating to appointments made by me to State boards and agencies since May 2008 is contained in a schedule that I propose to circulate with the Official Report. In respect of the National Economic and Social Development Office, on 1 April 2010 an order was made under section 34 of the National Economic...

Ministerial Appointments (20 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: There are many good people available for public service. I do not accept the quality of people has deteriorated, it has improved and more people are making themselves available for service. If we are appointing people to State boards they must do their job to the best of their ability but I do not accept that it is difficult to find people who will do public service, that is not my impression.

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. Under the direction of my programme manager, Mr. Joe Lennon, the primary function of my special advisers is to monitor, facilitate and help secure the achievement of Government objectives and to ensure effective co-ordination in the implementation of the programme for Government. The role and duties of special advisers are described in...

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not have the wider Government figure. The issue is that the total spend in Departments is of the order of €50 billion. Advisers were brought in to assist Ministers independent of departmental advice in 1992. They augment and supplement that advice and they are provided with an opportunity not just to advise the Minister, but to have other cross-departmental responsibilities and to...

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: One would expect policy advisers to be able to advise on policy, whether it is Government policy or suggestions from other parts of the House or other parts of society about issues under the remit of the Minister concerned. These are independent of and specifically different from the normal Civil Service advice which is given regardless of political affiliation in any case and which is a...

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not have the details of issues in other Departments as that is a matter for a parliamentary question to the Minister concerned. They deal with specific departmental matters. I do not have such information. With regard to the official or the person concerned, advices were also being given to the Department of the Taoiseach on general health areas and there is an active Cabinet...

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: There are no plans at present.

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand the total annual cost is in the order of €820,000, approximately.

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: This is the annual cost of salaries for the advisers.

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I would not have information about the cost of the special advisers. People working in the Department do the work that has to be done and obviously advisers have to be supported the same as other senior civil servants.