Cowen, BrianTuesday, 15 December 2009 |
Dáil Eireann Debate
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Ceisteanna — Questions - European Council Meetings.
Was asked: if he has received an agenda for the proposed EU summit on 19 November 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. 
Was asked: if he will report on his attendance at the special European Council meeting on 19 November 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU summit held on 19 November 2009.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU summit of 19 November 2009.
Was asked: if he has received a final agenda for the European Council meeting on 10 and 11 December 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if he will report on his participation in the European Council meeting of 10 and 11 December 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: his role in the recent appointment of the President of the European Council and of the high representative; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. I attended the informal European Council in Brussels on Thursday, 19 November. The meeting was convened by the Swedish Presidency to dis...
The Swedish EU Presidency had been involved in a series of discussions in the days previous to the Council meeting. Having listened to all member states, it put forward one nomination for the post of...
On the first matter, as I said to the Deputy, I made clear to the Presidency my views regarding our preferences in respect of that position. The Deputy will be aware of this as we have previously dis...
I understand that will happen this week.
I thank the Deputy for reminding us about it.
The Deputy should let Alan know.
Yes. As I stated on the earlier matter, this is a negotiating position developed by the European Union at the meeting of the European Council last week, and specifically suggesting a figure as to the...
That begs the question of the importance of public representatives not supporting those who would seek to delay the necessary infrastructure from being put in place. This takes place up and down the ...
I agree we need to deal speedily with all of the various issues around putting major infrastructure in place in this country. As the Deputy is aware, we have the strategic infrastructure legislation ...
On the first matter raised by the Deputy regarding the question of employment, it is true that unemployment has risen within the European Union to a rate of 10%. Unfortunately, we expect to see unemp...
Leaders’ Questions.
The Government had to consider how we could have a sustainable social welfare system going forward against the fact that the revenues coming into the Exchequer are at the same level that they were six...
In the pre-budget outlook, the Government had to take a position on social welfare spending reductions, a spend of over €22 billion against just €32 billion coming into the coffers. That is not a sus...
It is easy for the Leader of the Opposition to suggest alternative ways to find this, that and the other.
It is the Government’s responsibility to——
I listened to the Deputy’s party leader in silence.
It is easy for the Leader of the Opposition to suggest continually that there are easier ways of finding money. The €4 billion that we recalled simply stabilises the deficit. We still have an Excheq...
We still have to reduce our indebtedness over time. We must recognise and confront that reality in the best way we possibly can. While acknowledging one is open to criticism when one touches a socia...
These are the facts.
They are, of course, difficult facts. No one is suggesting it is easy. It is not easy for any Government. I am sure it was not easy for the Government of which the Deputy was a member which gave on...
We debated the issue at which time I am sure the Government was criticised for its decision. The fact is we are in a new economic situation. We are in a situation where we have to deal with the issu...
It is not a sustainable position to suggest that we can have a €22 billion social welfare bill next year and have receipts coming into the Exchequer of €32 billion and then look after public service p...
It is not a sustainable position. Therefore, the reduction in social welfare that had to be contemplated and acted upon by Government,——
——reluctant though we were, was necessary. It was necessary and done in the best possible way.
I confirm that the respite care grant of €1,700 per annum was not affected nor was the half rate carer’s allowance, which is an innovation introduced some years ago.
I accept that this is not an easy position for any Government to be in. The decision was necessary.
It was part of the overall €4 billion requirement.
It is simply part of a budgetary process that will have to continue in coming years so that we can get this country back to solvency——
——and to do so in a way that is as fair as possible to everyone.
The most unfair and callous thing one could do would be to suggest that a no change policy could be sustained into the future. That is not possible. It is better to be frank and candid about all are...
I do not have in front of me the tables in regard to the impact of the cuts. Obviously, there will be a 5% reduction up to a certain level in respect of the people to whom the Deputy refers. The situ...
It will be 5%.
We are back to the polemics again. I was asked a specific question during Leaders’ Questions in regard to which one would not have information unless one had a table. I stated there will be a 5% cut...
If the Deputy wants to outline the actual amounts for me then we can work out the figure.
No, it is not.
No, the Deputy is playing word games and trying to suggest to the media that the Government is indifferent in terms of the impact of the cuts. We are well aware of the impact. It is 5% up to a certa...
One must look at the tax increases in April and the expenditure cuts now. That has been part of the budgetary strategy to make the adjustment.
What amuses me in this House——
——is the Opposition saying, “Yes, of course, it should be €4 billion” and “Yes, we will be responsible and we will make sure that we come forward with the expenditure cuts” and when it comes to the cr...
All we are hearing is the populist notions that there is some simple way of this country getting out of trouble.
There is not. It requires the Government to have a bit of gumption and determination to do it and that is what we are prepared to do.
Order of Business.
It is proposed to take No. 11, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the reports by the Minister for Defence regarding service by the Defence Forces with the U...
This Bill, like the social welfare Bill last week, is being brought forward because of the need for the Government to implement the measures as announced in the budget so that they are in law and read...
——by covering the public servants.
As for the pension levy, 22 public service bodies and their subsidiaries listed in the Schedule to the Bill will also be exempt due largely to the commercial nature of their remit. We will apply a gra...
Question put: “That the proposal for dealing with the late sitting be agreed to.”
Voted Yes
On a point of information——
No, as usual, it is not.
I would like to inform the House, if not the Deputy, as she is not prepared to listen, that the cuts she mentioned to salaries of senior civil servants and Ministers of State will be greater than the ...
Question put, “That the proposal for dealing with Nos. 11 and 12 be agreed to.”
Voted Yes
The judgment was handed down today. Obviously, it will be examined by the Attorney General and the Minister will be advised accordingly. This is a complex area and one on which all sides of the Hous...
I must revert to the Deputy as to when it is envisaged the Act will be commenced as unfortunately, I do not have that information to hand. As for the other matter, I stated that the date for rising w...
There is no need to greet it by acclamation or anything.
As for the other matter regarding the report, I point out that on the issue of compensation arising in respect of one of the parties, there is an acknowledgement that this is not about compensation bu...
The main thing is that the Department is considering the report and its recommendations. Obviously however, there is a concern about that aspect of the report and it is a matter for the Department to...
——and at the time——
At the time, there was much public comment and public statement by others to the effect that it was about a compensation scheme or that moneys were passed when in fact no moneys were involved at all.
But anyway, the report speaks for itself Deputy Creed.
Allocations to the fire service do not arise on the Order of Business. As for the question regarding the issue of the timing of the introduction of payments, I can get the technical details for the D...
As I stated, I will acquire accurate information for the Deputy and will convey it to him.
This is a code of practice under regulation. It is not a voluntary code of practice. It is based on legislation.
The Department of Social and Family Affairs has done its own analysis, which it will publish.
Usually in the case where there are tax changes we set out administratively what the situation is and how it affects families with different incomes. The Minister outlined the expenditure effects in ...
For the purposes of clarity — I know this is not in order on the Order of Business — the Department of Social and Family Affairs published full details on budget day of how the social welfare changes ...
We expect it next year.
He comes on 25 December.
It is hoped it will come before the House next year.
The Minister of State, Deputy Andrews, has outlined that it is an issue of priority for him and he wishes to proceed with it as quickly as possible. There have been recent reports on child abuse whic...
I do know if that is a serious comment. They are on the A list and are due for publication before the beginning of the next session. I understand they will be published then.
They have, yes.
I will have to come back to the Deputy.
Written Answers - National Census.
Was asked: if he will consider the inclusion of a question on autism spectrum disorder in the 2011 national census questionnaire in view of the importance of such information for the national disability strateg...
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