Cowen, BrianWednesday, 10 February 2010 |
Dáil Eireann Debate
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Leaders’ Questions.
Yesterday I recorded our regret at the announcement of the loss of these jobs in Bank of Scotland (Ireland). I made the point that I had been assured that all customers of the bank would be looked af...
——it always has been my view that if we are to have proper credit access into the economy and a functioning banking system the NAMA operation has to be, and will be, proceeded with.
These matters have the full attention of Government at all times albeit not always with the support of Members of the House. That is a matter for debate in respect of all the initiatives we have brou...
My understanding is that the Government was notified yesterday under the Redundancy Acts with regard to the proposed job losses of 750 workers from this organisation. With regard to the strategies be...
In his first question the Deputy asked when we were officially notified of the redundancy announced yesterday. I have explained when we were notified. With regard to bank operations generally, the D...
It is a subsidiary of a large bank, which as we all know has suffered significant losses. Clearly, the banking strategy and business model for that bank is changing, not just with regard to its subsi...
——and Gala Networks announced 100 new jobs the previous week. While this major announcement of job losses by the bank is a matter of concern and regret for all of us, it reflects the economic and ban...
Ceisteanna — Questions - Constitutional Referenda.
Was asked: the constitutional referenda he plans to hold during 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: his plans to initiate any referendum to amend the Constitution in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: his plans for constitutional referenda during 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The renewed programme for Government envisages the following potential referenda during the lifetime of the current Dáil, subject, of cour...
No. There have been two interim reports on the work of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children, which was established in November 2007 and is chaired by Deputy Mary O’Rourke. ...
With regard to the first interim report which was issued on 1 September 2008, as the Deputy said, the office of the Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs, in conjunction...
I have indicated in my primary reply where we believe the possibility of referenda would be considered, namely, in the area of children’s rights in the context of Article 41.2 of the Constitution in o...
As I stated earlier, the Government will, following publication and presentation of the report to the relevant Minister and Government, consider the report. In respect of the two previous reports, th...
I did not say that.
I never mentioned it.
Not a constitutional amendment.
Everything I say does not relate to constitutional amendments.
I know that but the Deputy said I was anticipating a constitutional referendum.
I admire Deputy Gilmore’s attempt to align my view with his.
The Deputy is welcome. I always admire his dexterity in trying to align my views with his in the context of the question asked, which may well be different.
I have strong views on these matters. On the question regarding education, I simply stated a dialogue was commencing. The suggestion that I am anticipating an outcome that would require a referendu...
I would not be totally Dublin centred on these issues.
As Deputy O’Sullivan will be aware, the people of Limerick might want to have their say on the matter.
I hope the Deputy is returned when the opportunity arises. As regards when the referenda will take place, preparation and enactment of enabling legislation followed by a referendum are matters to be...
The electoral commission has not yet been established. As the Deputy said, the renewed programme for Government proposes an electoral commission which will propose reforms to the electoral system, in...
No decision has been taken at this point to have a referendum in 2010. That is the position.
Does the Deputy want it filled with a referendum?
Absolutely. Meeting the Deputy every day is always a pleasure not to be missed.
I will let the Deputy know if we are having one or not.
October.
It was a red-letter day for the Deputy.
Soon.
I will let the Deputy know when we make our minds up.
I am glad to see Deputy Gilmore in such great form today. For the record, I have outlined three areas where a referendum could have been considered. As I have already said, we are taking the legisla...
As regards inquiries and tribunals, we have set up by statute a commission of inquiry model, which provides for a more cost-effective and timely examination of matters of urgent public interest. It h...
The point is that the question of evidence is a matter for the courts. We have a very good separation of powers principle, whereby the Judiciary and our courts system determine guilt or innocence in ...
One cannot change the Constitution to forget about people’s rights just to make a comment in a Dáil committee.
That is perhaps where we have a different approach. I do not subscribe to the view that because a difficulty arose, one should provide for a constitutional amendment to get over that difficulty and a...
I am making a very important point.
The Deputy has just given some good examples of the benefits of a written constitution over an unwritten constitution. I prefaced my reply to Deputy Allen who has a strong interest in this area, by s...
As I have said the Minister of State is proceeding with that work as quickly as possible. It is a priority.
The Deputy is entitled to criticise if he wishes. I am here to give him the information in Question Time as to what is the position and what is the disposition of the Minister of State.
I am aware of that.
On the other matter, as I have said the programme for Government made no commitment to introduce a constitutional amendment to overturn, modify or change the Abbeylara decision. In the course of the ...
I would make this point about perhaps not just the Committee of Public Accounts or other committees, but committees of the House. The effectiveness of committees in respect of acting within their rem...
A whole range of issues.
No, that is not the point I am making.
No, I am not making that point. I am talking about people engaging in partisan political behaviour on committees, which greatly militates against their effectiveness.
I have been in the House long enough to recall that it was in the absence of partisanship, particularly on those major committees we are talking about, in the past that people worked very well. They ...
I already answered that question earlier. It is being prepared and proceeded with. As people are aware, it is a complex area, but regardless of its complexity I accept it is important legislation an...
Order of Business.
The Order of Business today shall be No. 4, Finance Bill 2010 — Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonig...
I have put the Order of Business to the House to be accepted. The Deputy has indicated he wants to raise issues. During Second Stage of the Finance Bill, he will have plenty of opportunity to raise ...
The Deputy is aware that there are procedures quite apart from the Order of Business to allow for that to happen, including private notice questions. Question, “That the proposal that the House sit la...
We were aware of it before that.
I understand the spokespersons have scheduled arrangements for Committee Stage and we are to proceed along those lines. We are proceeding with Second Stage tonight and calling it to a halt. There wi...
Question put: “That the proposal for dealing with No. 4 be agreed to.”
Voted Yes
Government statements are never signed.
The last guy I knew who signed statements was called P. O’Neill. He is not in action at the moment.
It simply outlines what the programme for Government provides for, that we are involved in a consultative process through a strategic environmental assessment, that we have an international review rep...
The lost at sea report is being considered by both Houses of the Oireachtas. This consideration should be completed by next week after the Seanad has discussed it and its recommendations.
That was a humorous comment, was it not.
That kind of spontaneity is almost unique.
There are singeing and burning quips going on here. I hope someone gets a line out of it.
The Government statement sets out the position that resource management is being examined, that we are involved in a consultative process and that the proposed section 60 cap on incineration requires ...
The situation regarding whatever contractual arrangements Dublin City Council have will be considered and an investigating officer will be appointed by the Minister, Deputy Gormley, to examine that ma...
Obviously, we are all aware of this particular situation. The original settlement regarding these matters was made back in the 1970s. The Minister is awaiting a report from the State Claims Agency, ...
With respect, I have just explained the State Claims Agency will be reporting this month on the matter.
The original settlement was made——
——back in the mid-1970s.
The fact of the matter is that the tax-free allowance in Ireland, quite rightly, is €26,000 whereas it is £18,000 in Britain. While it is a serious disability, we have ensured that, in comparable ter...
The Minister will meet them after she receives the report and is in a position to have a discussion with them about it.
The Minister, who is the front line, will meet them.
The Deputy is entitled by the Ceann Comhairle.
I obey the Ceann Comhairle.
I am guided by the Ceann Comhairle. The fact of the matter is I hope to meet the Commissioner tomorrow on other business. I am sure she will be only too pleased to visit this country, as she will be...
I understand the housing legislation was passed in July last.
I will have to come back to the Deputy as to what the position is. I can only deal with legislation that is yet to be enacted. If there is legislation enacted and there is a problem, a parliamentary...
I understand there has been a statement from the Financial Regulator today that Bank of Scotland has informed the Financial Regulator of its commercial intention to close the Halifax retail banking bu...
That Bill is being prepared. It will probably be after the summer before it is ready.
I refer to the programme for Government which makes reference to enacting legislation for a directly elected mayor of Dublin in 2010. As I said in response to Deputy Gilmore when he asked about it ye...
The heads of the biological weapons Bill were approved this week.
Work will proceed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on bringing forward the Bill in full. The issues the Deputy raised are probably best left for discussion with the Minister as he prepares the sco...
I heard what Deputy Higgins said and I will bring that matter to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and ask him to revert to the Deputy.
Given the amount of interest articulated in the House on a constant basis in regard to this matter, the purpose of the correspondence was to bring people up to date as to what issues are being address...
I am not aware that is the case. I understand the first Bill would be introduced in the normal way. There are two Bills being brought forward to deal with the proposed regulatory changes which the M...
I understand the heads of a Bill are currently being prepared but I cannot give a time as to when they will be brought to the Government.
Finance Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed).
Question put.
Voted Yes
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