Results 581-600 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: That does not relate as some suggest to new debt or other debt; it was existing guarantees on existing debt. The only issue that arose subsequently was this question of subordinated debt and, as I say, we made the decision on all that based on the best interests of the country as we saw it. It related in value terms to approximately 3.3% of the total debts of the banks. The point is that,...

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: First, to deal with the assertions made by Deputy Gormley in the preface to the remarks made regarding the previous question asked by Deputy Kenny or, I should say, Deputy Gilmore.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: If the Deputy is the good guy, we are in bigger trouble than I thought we were in.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: Do not take from my response to that comment. In regard to the previous issue raised by Deputy Kenny, the Minister, Deputy Gormley, confirmed to an inquiry from a newspaper yesterday evening that the Minister for Finance at the end of that meeting on the Sunday briefed colleagues on problems experienced by the Irish banks in the context of international developments, the preparations and...

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: That issue arises as a result of the economic and financial crisis that is affecting every country, including this one, which has its own particular problems. It is also clear that it is the view of the Labour Party that it does not wish to adhere to the terms and conditions upon which money will be available to this country after July to provide for the services, about which we are all...

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: Thankfully, we still have a situation where the prospects for growth next year will help us if we make the correction, as set out in the programme that has been agreed with the European institutions and the IMF, and proceed with it. We can bring unemployment down under 10% in the next few years. If we proceed on another tack, that of the Labour Party's point of view, which is not to proceed...

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----and €1.3 billion in cuts in the capital programme. What is being suggested by the Labour Party and the difficult decisions to be made in terms of broadening the tax base both at the top and bottom as we proceed with the budgetary policy to be outlined by the Minister this afternoon-----

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: The level of impact on working families from the Labour Party's proposal would be almost double - although not quite double - what we are suggesting because of the size of the tax brackets proposed.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: We would not be having this discussion.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will answer the Deputy's questions.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy complimented me on the scrutiny I gave to Labour Party policies as he enunciated them last week. I assure the Deputy I will be taking a very keen interest in all of his policy positions as the people get an opportunity-----

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----to see just how much is behind what the party has to say. If I go back to the party's banking policy, it is clear.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: Professor Honohan has far more expertise in this area than the Deputy or me, and the Deputy might agree on that from time to time. Had we adopted the Labour policy on the banks on 29 September 2008-----

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----we would not have an economy to be discussing here.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: The banks would have imploded without that guarantee. That is a fact. However the Labour Party tries to twist and turn its way around that basic conclusion put forward by Professor Honohan, it cannot get away from that fundamental problem.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: The present point relates to the concerns we have. Of course we can all have concerns. I would have very serious concerns if I listened to the Labour Party, if in government, suggesting that it would not be prepared to make these decisions. That would prove it is not fit for Government in the circumstances in which we find ourselves.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have gone there and I have answered the question.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: If the cut should be €4.5 billion, the Deputy should confirm on what basis the €50 billion now available from EU funds would be made available?

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: What was that?

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am asking if the Labour Party has the responsibility for this.