Results 1,841-1,860 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: 6. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether a new analysis should be undertaken by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service on demographics and demographic impacts on the budgetary positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25804/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: Demographic projections are undertaken by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service, IGEES. It last did so in 2016 with projections up to 2027. Can the Minister speak to the validity of the projections for 2017, 2018 and 2019 where there was a €436 million to €440 million range? Were they accurate? Does the Minister acknowledge that an updated analysis is needed...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: I welcome the Minister's commitment to bring forward a paper to consider renewing the study and examining it afresh, considering changes since 2016, especially in the context of a possible crash-out Brexit. There is a contention that the fiscal space of €600 million in coming years could be eaten up by demographics alone. We need the Minister to clarify this as soon as possible. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: As the Minister mentioned health, I refer to a response he gave me recently on foot of the current figures and the 10% increase year-on-year which he acknowledged must be addressed as soon as possible. It appears his policy in that regard is to find resources from other areas to meet that demand. That is not the case in capital expenditure, as we discussed earlier in relation to broadband...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission Reports (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: 3. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Public Service Pay Commission report will be published; the reason it has not been released to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25800/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission Reports (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: The Public Service Pay Commission report on the Defence Forces was given to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in early May, or so we were led to believe. Can he confirm that, and tell us when will it be published and why has it not been published to date? Will he be conducting negotiations with the Defence Forces and their representatives prior to, or after its publication?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission Reports (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: I was anxious to know when in May it was received, because it might not have been appropriate if the Minister had it in advance of, or after, the election on 24 May. I do not know, but it is important that we know. Why is there a delay in publishing it and bringing it to the Government? There is a real issue at stake here that was not only recognised at the time it was included in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission Reports (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: -----and I hope we will not have the same issues with the commission's report this time.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission Reports (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: I appreciate the mechanism and machinery that is in place regarding the public service pay agreement and the commitments contained within it. I also acknowledge the right of the nursing fraternity, Defence Forces, and consultants, subject to the conditions associated with that agreement, to allow for agreements to be acted on, bearing in mind that both parties, including the Minister and his...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission Reports (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: -----associated with it but the conditions as well, which have led to the processes we have alluded to.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission Reports (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: The Garda deal was the only bespoke deal, and the Minister gave it that.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission Reports (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: It was not Fianna Fáil.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission Reports (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: The Minister knows that better than I do.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission Reports (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: I am listening to the people. I do not need a commission report to tell me there is a problem with retention.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: My responsibility is to hold the Minister to account.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: When did I say that?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: When did I say that?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: I ask the Minister to correct the record. When did he hear me say anything like that? I respect the commitments made in the development plan. I acknowledge that it can be a success and can bring benefits, especially in the regions.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: I need to know whether the money is there to meet the demands relating to the promises the Minister is making. He is not being straight with the people when he tells them that the money will come from future revenues. He is expecting to have magic money at his disposal.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: As I have stated previously, the Minister is the Freddie Mercury of politics, exercising his kind of magic. It is time he came clean to the public on this issue.