Results 321-340 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Order of Business (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: I understand that will be next year.
- Order of Business (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: What is that?
- Order of Business (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: No Government decision has been made in respect of the first matter raised by the Deputy. As the Deputy is aware, a report has been prepared in the Department of Justice and Law Reform on these matters to get a more modern framework for the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. There is a question as to whether resort tourism should be catered for in that context as well and that is an issue for a...
- Order of Business (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: No, I have not said a Bill is not necessary. I am simply saying a decision must be made by Government for legislation to be brought forward with regard to these matters. What has been looked at, as the Deputy is aware, is the need to review the whole legislative framework currently governed by 1956 legislation which, I presume, does not take account of the many technological and other...
- Order of Business (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: I understand we could complete the Child Care (Amendment) Bill without much difficulty based on the co-operative support of the Deputy and other Deputies. The other issue was raised earlier this morning in the context of changes to sub-contracting legislation. This is being dealt with in the Seanad at the moment and will come here. Unfortunately, it does not have retrospective effect as...
- Order of Business (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: I stated earlier or yesterday that we hoped to have it this session as well, before the beginning of the next session.
- Order of Business (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: There is no date for the bail amendment Bill. I expect the legal costs Bill to be published next year.
- Order of Business (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: These matters will be debated in a couple of moments.
- Leaders' Questions. (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: On the issue I raised with Deputy Gilmore regarding the question of a general provision based on lending in a situation of last resort, the European financial stabilisation mechanism, EFSM, will have a margin and the decision in that regard was made by ECOFIN in May. This is an ECOFIN-based source of funding from the 27 member states. As the Deputy is aware, there is also another facility...
- Leaders' Questions. (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: The rate that is being provided compares favourably to the cheapest international credit available, namely, that on offer from the IMF, for this purpose. Ireland is the first country to use the mechanism to which I refer for this purpose. Countries that avail of it in the future will be obliged to deal with similar situations. In the context of humanitarian or other aid offered to...
- Leaders' Questions. (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: It is ironic for the Deputy to refer to treaties of the European Union and the spirit of solidarity when he never voted in favour of one such treaty in his life.
- Leaders' Questions. (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy used the minute available to him and more in order to make his points. He should allow me to reply. I wish to make a serious point. It is unrealistic to suggest that the European Union has not shown a preparedness to assist Ireland in this situation. Two thirds of the facility available to us will come from European Union sources and the remaining third will be provided by the...
- Departmental Bodies (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: I made the point that no working groups chaired by my Department are looking after particular tasks or projects. If there is a specific area about which the Deputy wishes to inquire on a policy front, there may be some supplementary information available to hand. This is the manner in which I dealt with it last March when we had some discussion on a specific matter.
- Departmental Bodies (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: I apologise to the Deputy. I understand from memory that work has been done in that area, which is due to be finalised by the senior officials group and which will come before the Cabinet shortly but I will get the detail.
- Social Partnership Issues (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive, together. There have been three formal plenary meetings of the parties to the Towards 2016 agreement since its publication in June 2006. The last meeting of that nature was held on 15 February 2008 and no further meeting has been scheduled. There have been a significant number of bilateral meetings with each of the social partnership...
- Social Partnership Issues (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: As I stated, there have been a number of bilateral meetings both this year and in previous years. However, there has not been a plenary meeting because, as the Deputy is aware, the Government has been dealing with this crisis. In addition, we also have had the Croke Park agreement and there has been a huge amount of consultation and work that has provided the background to dealing with a...
- Social Partnership Issues (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: I do not have all the detailed up-to-date positions in respect of the Croke Park agreement implementation body. It has met seven times to date, meets regularly and I understand its next meeting is due on 23 December. That body is available to deal with issues referred up to it, rather than with all the issues. The body exists to ensure that the existing sectors resolve problems consistent...
- Social Partnership Issues (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: No plans are currently scheduled for another plenary meeting but it is important to point out that meetings are taking place on a bilateral basis with employers, unions and voluntary pillar on various issues, and that will continue.
- Social Partnership Issues (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the Deputy. The public service pay agreement, which comprises the Croke Park agreement, has been maintained by the Government. It is sometimes forgotten that the agreement was negotiated against a background of escalating industrial action and put an end to that. In accepting the Croke Park agreement public servants have accepted the imposition of a pension levy and pay...
- Social Partnership Issues (15 Dec 2010)
Brian Cowen: More should be done and more resources should be applied. It is on the record of the House. None of us can revise all of this. We all have read what was said at the time. That was the case.