Results 1,561-1,580 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: Not specifically. The Government press secretary is the person who deals with the press, in the main.

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not suggesting that at all. There are special advisers to deal with the press and to act on behalf of a Minister from time to time. In the main, the Government press secretary liaises.

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not see anything inappropriate where advisers are dealing with the media. Everyone appointed to a Labour Party Minister in my time would have had to resign if that were the case.

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept that for a moment. That is another point that was made last week by Deputy Gilmore. Deputy Gilmore is far better trained at how to promote propaganda than I am. Special advisers deal with a range of issues, including business, financial, economic, political, environmental, administrative and media matters and perform other functions as may be directed from time to time.

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: Is that okay?

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: My recollection is that Proinsias De Rossa, when he was the Minister with responsibility for social protection, had five advisers.

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: He advertised in the Workers Party circular to see if anyone was available to advise him.

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: First, there has been much reduction in administrative costs in my Department the same as other Departments. The cost this year compared to last year is down 27%. From memory, the cost for 2009 compared to 2008 is down by over 20% and the reduction on the previous year is in the high teens. The question arises as to whether one believes the Taoiseach should have any independent advice at...

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: What is the size of their budgets?

Ministerial Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is down to the officeholder to determine value and if he wants to retain an adviser. To do the job and to obtain advice independent of the Civil Service - while not denigrating the quality of Civil Service advice - and to complete the perspective, people in high office need to make the best possible decisions. It is a matter of opinion, it is not an exact science. We have in the system...

Office of Chief State Solicitor (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: As previously indicated in reply to similar questions on this matter, implementation of the recommendations of the Nally report was completed in 2007.

Office of Chief State Solicitor (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: It refers to the Chief State Solicitor's office, as outlined in the question.

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: My Department has a contract with Vodafone for the provision of mobile services and products procured through the Department of Finance Mobile Framework Agreement. My Department also has a contract with Eircom for the provision of fixed line voice services through the Government VPN Plan. My Department is currently in the process of reviewing its telecommunications requirements and as part of...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: My Department does not have any contracts in place with energy providers as its energy is supplied through the Houses of the Oireachtas system which provides for the needs of the Government buildings complex. Electricity and gas for the complex is provided by ESB Independent Energy Limited and Bord Gáis respectively. The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), which is the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: In considering requests to participate in the Civil Service Worksharing Scheme my Department considers its operating requirements and endeavours to tailor workloads to allow for flexible attendance patterns that accommodate the business needs of the Department and the personal responsibilities or choices of those who wish to participate in it. Currently 32 members of staff in my Department,...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: As recommended by the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure separate programme funding for the work of the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership and the Active Citizenship Office ceased in 2009. The separate Offices in these areas have been discontinued which has given rise to savings on my Department's Vote of approximately €308,000 per annum. The National Forum on Europe...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Active Citizenship Office was established in 2008 under the aegis of my Department, as recommended by the Taskforce on Active Citizenship in its 2006 Report. The Office was discontinued in 2009 and the active citizenship function transferred to the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in May, 2010. The administrative budget for the work of the Office in supporting the...

Written Answers — State Companies: State Companies (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: No new state-owned companies have been established or have come under the aegis of my Department since 2007.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: While no staff in my Department are currently e-working on a full-time or part-time basis, 53 have blackberries, laptops or remote access. The Department will review the potential for further use of e-working in the light of the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014. On the wider issues, the Smarter Travel Plan 2009-2020 recognises that flexible and e-working policies can contribute to reducing...

Order of Business (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: Respect the Chair.