Results 1,901-1,920 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together. My Department does not currently rent any offices or property. The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), an independent statutory body under the aegis of my Department, occupies office space rented by the OPW, which is responsible for all aspects of rental arrangements.

Written Answers — Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal: Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal which I chair has met 4 times this year and is due to meet again on 13th October 2010.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: The table below details the amount spent by my Department from 2007 to end June 2010 on all communication devices (mobile phones, blackberries, and mobile connect cards). Year 2007 2008 2009 Jan – June 2010 Mobile Phones €170,013.86 €197,524.49 €105,772.14 €41,979.24 Seventy-nine staff in my Department have communication devices for official use. In 2008 my Department entered...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: Statistics in relation to whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff numbers employed in my Department are compiled at the end of each calendar month. On 31st August, 2010, there were 190.76 WTE staff employed in my Department. The table beneath provides a breakdown by grade. Grade Number of WTEs Employed Secretary General 1.00 Assistant Secretary 4.00 Principal Officer 14.60 Assistant...

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy should respect the Chair.

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: I reject all of Deputy Ó Caoláin's assertions made against the good faith of the Government in relation to dealing with these matters. They are totally without foundation. The situation——

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: The guarantee period expires tonight. On the recommendation of the Governor of the Central Bank we want to renew that guarantee. We are seeking to put it forward for renewal tonight as it must be confirmed tonight. Attracting funding remains difficult for banks, not least in light of stress on sovereign debt markets. The Governor of the Central Bank has recommended extension of the...

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: ——has had to deal with recapitalisation of the banks.

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: Approximately a dozen other EU countries also recently extended their guarantee schemes to 31 December, including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Spain and Sweden. Sweden is often mentioned by some Members of the House in terms of how one should try to deal with a banking crisis. The guarantee applied in Sweden was for about four and a half years. It is important to point out that the...

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: The budget date has been mentioned. It is 7 December. With regard to the children's referendum, that work is continuing. I understand the Minister of State with responsibility for children's rights was before the joint committee recently and updated it on some of the thinking and the work that is ongoing with the Attorney General. He will be reverting to the committee as soon as further...

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: The question of the by-elections will be debated in a few moments. Deputy Kenny's first question was about Anglo Irish Bank. The precise figure has not been conveyed to me or to the Government. I will not know it until the person whose statutory duty it is to deal with it — the Financial Regulator — conveys it to us. It is expected that it will be forwarded to us formally tomorrow....

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: I did not realise there was any significance to what I had to say. The Government made a decision, I think in September, for a budget day on 7 December.

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: Complex policy issues arise in respect of the national vetting bureau Bill. However, the Bill is being treated with priority by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. In conjunction with the Department of Justice and Law Reform, the latter is drafting the heads of the Bill for submission by the Minister to Government at the earliest possible date. Work is ongoing in...

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: I cannot answer for the Minister for Finance's correspondence to the Deputy——

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: ——except to say that whatever proposals are required, if legislation is required it will be provided and brought into the House.

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I have just explained, it will be a matter for proposal by the Minister to come to the Government in respect of any requirements. There are already banking licences in existence in relation to Anglo Irish Bank. On the splitting of the bank as agreed by Government, if there are legislative requirements, they will be brought forward by the Minister for Finance.

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have already explained to a previous Deputy that issues that arise are being discussed by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, and the Department of Justice and Law Reform. That is being handled as a matter of priority. It is hoped that the Minister of State will be able to bring heads of a Bill to the Government soon. That is the up-to-date information and any...

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: On the first matter, I do not believe legislation would be required for the establishment of that database, but I am sure the work is ongoing as the Minister has stated. On the second matter, there was an interim report from the group that was set up to look at that issue and some recommendations taken on board. I understand a further report will emanate from that group in due course. Of...

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is a matter for the Whips in the normal course of their discussions as to how they order the business. Any requests to deal with those issues are considered in that context. I said I am not aware of any requirement for legislation on the first matter and it is not on the list. It is not contemplated that there would be legislation during this session. If the Deputy has further...

Order of Business (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy cannot take anything. All he can take is the reply I have given him as being the situation.