Results 1,801-1,820 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Departmental Expenditure (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Estimates campaign is ongoing. Discussions between the Department of Finance and the Taoiseach of the day are traditionally brief and the Taoiseach usually takes on board what the Minister for Finance has to say in terms of leading by example.

Departmental Expenditure (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The questions the Deputy tabled do not relate to that. They relate to my own-----

Departmental Expenditure (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will reply but this is outside the ambit of the questions tabled.

Departmental Expenditure (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have some information that will be of help to the Deputy.

Departmental Expenditure (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I always provide the answers.

Departmental Expenditure (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: If we keep it that way, we cannot go wrong. The Department of Finance has begun the process of preparing proposals on changes to be addressed at a central level for inclusion in the action plan for the Civil Service and State agencies. My Department is currently considering actions that could be taken within the Department and bodies under its aegis.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 5, Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 73, motion re health service cutbacks (resumed), to conclude at 8.30 p.m. tonight if not previously concluded.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware that legislation would be required for such a proposal were one to emerge. These are issues which are considered by the NRA when evaluating factors such as proper traffic management, road investment needs to support economic competitiveness, safety issues and implementation of Government policy in areas such as smarter travel. In any event, such issues or initiatives when...

Order of Business (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Government never interferes in the decisions made by An Bord Pleanála as this is an independent authority with statutory powers regarding planning matters. On the first question, the Government has a special investment share in Irish Nationwide Building Society. Any reports will have to go to the board in the first instance before going anywhere else. I am not aware the report has yet...

Order of Business (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation has taken initiatives to seek to reduce bureaucratic costs for business. It has identified four or five areas in which it is seeking to reduce by 25%. I do not have the details in front of me but I will ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to convey them to the Deputy.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: Both of those pieces of legislation are due in 2011, with the sale of alcohol Bill likely to be published before the health information Bill. A debate on agriculture is a matter for the Whips to decide. A food harvest report has set out a development path for the agrifood industry over the coming five and ten years and in my view this would merit a debate in the House. This year there has...

Order of Business (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: This Government worked very closely with the pig industry to deal with a serious problem that merited significant funding by the taxpayer to ensure the pig industry was retained in the aftermath of the serious health and safety problem last year. The pig industry continues to be very competitive. On trade missions as far away as Japan last year I met pig industry representatives seeking to...

Order of Business (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: There are a number of initiatives, none of which involved the preparation of legislation. We tried to come forward with some practical initiatives that would help mortgage holders with specific issues to deal with and to support those in difficulty with mortgages. It is worth recalling that the Government has already provided help to over 16,700 families with the mortgage interest subsidy...

Order of Business (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill had not yet been prepared.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: Work is ongoing; the heads of the Bill have not yet been prepared.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I expect the Bill to be before the House this session.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware that legislation is required or contemplated in either of those areas.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: It will be taken shortly. The Whips will deal with it this session.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The question of when a Dáil reform committee meets is a matter for the committee. It is not a matter for me.

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Health and Children was simply pointing out that an internal audit by the HSE had uncovered this situation, which has been referred to the Garda. That is an exercise in accountability. The Comptroller and Auditor General is also dealing with the matter, and it will be discussed by the Committee of Public Accounts. When the full facts are provided in that forum, discussion...