Cowen, BrianWednesday, 9 December 2009 |
Dáil Eireann Debate
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Leaders’ Questions.
Recapitalisation arises as a result of the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank in that specific case and because of the investments taxpayers have made in other covered institutions. Those issues are...
I have made the point to Deputy Kenny that I will not speculate on any further recapitalisation required for any bank. Clearly, any future recapitalisation that may be necessary is not incorporated i...
The question relates to an investment——
The question relates to investment. Investment and recapitalisation do not have an effect on the Exchequer borrowing requirement. This is covered by EU rules in respect of national accounts. Regard...
As the Deputy knows, the recapitalisation that has taken place at the Bank of Ireland and AIB is in respect of preference shares that the State has taken in those banks. The Minister has indicated th...
I suppose on the morning of any budget there will always be a lot of political rhetoric.
The revisionism that is taking place is pretty predictable. Every developed country in the world faces a large and difficult economic and financial crisis.
We have made an adjustment of over €8 billion in gross terms in 2009 through tax and changes in expenditure in order to bring public finances under control.
The purpose of this budget is to stabilise that deficit and to create the necessary confidence within the country, and externally, that it will manage its affairs, that this Government will take the d...
——no cuts here or there, but, on the other, suggests that we will tax our way out of this problem by making further impositions on labour and companies. That would not maintain jobs, it would destroy...
In the meantime, as one comes to the end of one’s contribution, the usual shouting starts.
Ceisteanna — Questions - Departmental Staff.
Was asked: the number of occasions since June 1997 to date in 2009 on which officials in his Department, or in the agencies under his aegis, were granted either a discretionary payment or pension top-up on reti...
Was asked: the number of occasions since June 2007 to date in 2009 on which he enhanced payments made to persons retiring or otherwise leaving his Department or an agency operating under the aegis of his Depart...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. All civil servants retiring from my Department are entitled to an annual pension and lump sum, in accordance with the relevant legislation and condit...
I do not want to paraphrase or repeat what went on at the relevant committee but it is clear that in respect of the matters to which Deputy Kenny’s question refers there were issues about entitlement ...
These matters were dealt by personnel staff in the respective Departments working within the overall guidelines. As I said, the circumstances that were outlined and the particular issue raised by the...
I have not dealt with that specific matter since then. As the Deputy said, this matter has been dealt with by the line Department. I have received no advice to the effect that the retrospective——
The Deputy made an assertion that retrospective Cabinet approval is required for that package. That is not anything I have been advised of. I will check out that matter but I would not accept that t...
If I may be allowed to answer the question, I will give my opinion, if the Deputy wishes. If she wants to answer it herself, that is fine. I will sit and wait for her answer.
It is a fair question. I just want to be allowed to reply, that is all. The Deputy made an assertion that this was an illegal payment and that it requires retrospective Cabinet approval. I certainl...
First, any revision of guidelines would be a matter for the Minister for Finance and the public service in the first instance. To come back to the specific point, I want to make it clear that the sit...
I do not have the file in front of me but I want to make clear that the advice the Minister took came from the senior official in the Department.
I have not been before the committee listening to the ins and outs of this in the way the Deputy has been. I would rather have the full file in front of me because I would then have no problem answer...
Perhaps if the questions were put down for the relevant Minister, the Deputy would get the full answer. I cannot be expect to have all of that in front of me.
The Deputy cannot ask me a question and then decide if I have the information. The purpose of questions is to table specific questions to get specific answers. I have sought to extend the courtesy o...
Ceisteanna — Questions - Social Partnership Negotiations.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting on 20 October 2009 with the social partners.
Was asked: if he will report on his meeting with the social partners on 20 October 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if he will report on his recent meetings with trade union representatives and others in the social partnership process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, together. The Government has made it clear for some time that the public finance position is unsustainable. Our tax revenues have fallen sharply ba...
Quite the contrary. It is not about political expediency at all.
Are we back into this process again?
Given that good substantive questions have been asked I would like the opportunity to reply. I listened attentively in silence to what the Deputy had to say and I would like to respond. After my fir...
The Towards 2016 document which was devised some years ago was a ten-year framework which set out very challenging objectives for everyone in social partnership. The economic crisis that has envelope...
If the outcome of the discussions does not result in the certainty and permanency which are needed, one has to consider alternative ways of going about it. I do not take away——
I agree, but some negotiations succeed and others do not.
One proposal was referred back to the trade unions and then further discussions took place on the sectoral side. A further proposal was starting to emerge but it did not meet those tests, which is t...
With respect, a full divulging of the composition of the pay bill and all the necessary data was being exchanged for weeks in advance. It is all very well giving advice as to what to do a week or a ...
I reiterate that the Government met as a Government on Tuesday and I communicated thereafter to the trade unions the Government position. The first basic requirement was the quantum, the amount of mo...
If I may reply to Deputy Kenny, the intrinsic merit, worth and value of that remains because it is against the background of much tightened financial constraints on Government — on any Government. Th...
As we know, that was not an accurate reflection of the status of negotiations at the time.
I do not agree with the Deputy’s contentions or theories on this matter. The Government entered this process in good faith, knowing it was difficult for all sides to try to find a common agreement on...
I do not see what purpose the Deputy’s proposal would have. What one should rely on is the work that has been put together and on which there would have been agreement had other things been worked th...
The documents, as they emerged, do not require further background information. They set out the direction of reforms and transformation that could be contemplated in the right circumstances. As I st...
Order of Business.
It is proposed to take No. 41a, Budget Statement and the financial motions by the Minister for Finance, to be taken on the conclusion of questions to members of the Government. It is proposed, notwit...
To answer Deputy Kenny’s question first, the grouping of resolutions or the way in which we take them will be agreed at the Whips meeting at 7 p.m. this evening. The social welfare Bill will be publi...
I can get the Whip to confirm the actual time but it will be later on this evening.
We can issue the Bill any time. My understanding is the publication of the Bill will not be dependent on taking a vote.
We are confident enough, no more than the Deputy himself.
Question put: “That the proposal for dealing with the late sitting be agreed to.”
Voted Yes
Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed).
Question put.
Voted No
Financial Resolution No. 1: Excise (Alcohol Products).
I move: (1) THAT for the purposes of the tax charged by virtue of section 75 of the Finance Act 2003 (No. 3 of 2003), that Act be amended, with effect as on and from 10 December 2009, by substituting ...
The motivation behind the resolution is as outlined by Deputy Ó Caoláin, namely, to try to deal with the phenomenon of cross-Border trade which is causing a major haemorrhage in our revenue base. It ...
As the Deputies know, the main features of a budget point out what we are discussing now in terms of VAT reductions, etc. I have been a Member of the House for 25 years and having listened to the Dep...
Responsible drinking is not determined by the level of excise. If it were, this country would not have the alcohol problems it has given that in many cases we have the highest excise levels in the Eu...
I am just making that point that it is a nebulous and fallacious argument. In dealing with that issue, the important issue is to have proper education on prevention and promotion of responsible drink...
Question put: “That Financial Resolution No. 1 be agreed to.”.
Voted Yes
Written Answers - Departmental Bodies.
Was asked: the number of State boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under his remit; the cost of these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
Written Answers - Ministerial Staff.
Was asked: the number of persons employed in his private office and his constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses in regard to each office in tabular form; the number of pe...
The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following table. *The Minister of State for European Affairs does not have a Constituency Office in my Department.
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