Results 20,321-20,340 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy is a decent man and one of the few who did not suffer from depression because the Government had achieved what it had set out to 18 months ago. I do not know how Deputy Shane Ross is getting on in the meetings around the country with the four mad, wise or angry men - or whatever they are called - or if they are still meeting.

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: The Government set out 18 months ago a very clear strategy for its intention to restructure and re-engineer the promissory notes in order that the State would not have to borrow €3.1 billion every March and repay it based on these notes at high interest rates and continue to do so until 2023 and beyond to an amount of €48 billion in all. The whole Government was involved in the...

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: The debate on the promissory notes takes place later today. The removal of the notes which will be exchanged for long-term Government bonds has an average maturity of 34 or 35 years instead of the seven to eight years' average maturity on what was there. The reduction in the State's general deficit of approximately €1 billion which is 0.6% of GDP per annum will bring us €1...

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: The real test and challenge to us all is to get into the business of creating the confidence and the investment climate in which jobs can be created.

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: The improved perception of the country from outside means that banks, semi-State companies and lenders can have greater access to, and flexibility in getting, credit. I note the comments of the Governor of the Central Bank in respect of the focus now. We are dealing with investment opportunities through the Cabinet sub-committee. We would like to think that in the Finance Bill coming...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland Issues (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 10, inclusive, together. I have committed to meeting with the Ballymurphy families and fully intend to meet them here in Dublin when the families are ready and a suitable opportunity presents itself. The families have requested another meeting with officials prior to my meeting with them and officials of my Department have been liaising with them to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland Issues (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: I thank the Deputy for his comments. I have actually been ready for some time to meet the Ballymurphy families. It is welcome that the coroner has reversed the decision to suspend the investigations into the killings. First, we needed to decide whether the meeting should be held in Dublin or the North. It will be held here and I understand the Ballymurphy families are anxious to have...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland Issues (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: It could have been 57.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland Issues (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: As Deputy Adams pointed out, the Pat Finucane case occurred 24 years ago today and is still a vivid scar in the memory and the minds of his family. I do not have a hierarchy of victims but the Finucane case is different in the sense that Judge Cory indicated and gave his view that a full public inquiry should be held. We have stated in the House on many occasions that both Governments, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland Issues (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: We have a strategic partnership agreement signed with the British Government but that does not mean one is in another's pockets in any way and I know Deputy Adams did not mean it in that way. The Irish Government took a clear position. That arose a number of years ago from a motion I tabled while on the opposite side of the House calling for a public inquiry based on Judge Cory's...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland Issues (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: I do not disagree with anything Deputy Ó Fearghaíl has said. The apology given by the Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, in respect of Bloody Sunday in Derry came after three decades and in its own way brought closure, tragic though it was, to that issue. The Governments agreed in advance that they would follow the judge's recommendations. It is a moral imperative and a political duty...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): G8 Summit (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 18, inclusive, together. I am pleased that British Prime Minister Cameron has confirmed that this year's G8 summit will be held in Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, as this will no doubt give a great boost to the Border region. I was aware that the British Government was considering Fermanagh as a potential venue and was supportive of that proposal. ...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): G8 Summit (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: Prime Minister Cameron informed me last year when I was in Britain that it was his intention to consider whether it was suitable to hold the G8 summit at Lough Erne in Fermanagh and he said that he would be privileged to extend an invitation to me, which I, on behalf of the people, am very happy to accept. I understand there are protocols with regard to foreign leaders at that scale...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): G8 Summit (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, has reminded me that the visit of the G8 leaders will be the most powerful element of The Gathering to come to Ireland in 2013. We hope it will act as a catalyst for further investment in and recognition of the country's beauty, culture, traditions and modernity. I expect to meet Prime Minister Cameron in early March in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): G8 Summit (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: He has always been sharp like that.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): G8 Summit (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: I can confirm that there is a great deal of security co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI. Unfortunately, we have a great deal of experience of dealing with security issues. The Lough Erne venue is ideal in the sense that it will be possible to secure it very safely. I am quite sure the PSNI and the Garda are working together in that regard. I have not yet seen the agenda for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): G8 Summit (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: I actually said it was the Vice President, not the President. The President would be too busy. It might well be that the Vice President, on his first visit, would wish to have a walk around some of the more challenging golf courses. I think the Deputy would agree with that. The question of tax is one that has been raised by the Deputy and others. Let us be quite clear about this. This...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): G8 Summit (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: While we were deemed by some reports in the United States some years ago as being some sort of tax haven, that matter was raised and dealt with by President Obama himself. That is not the case.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): G8 Summit (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: Our system is crystal clear, accountable and competent. If facilities exist in other countries and other tax systems for moving around elements of tax, that is not for us to deal with. We are very clear, very straight and across the board for everybody.

Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

Enda Kenny: It is proposed to take No. 10, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 11, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Council decision relating to readmission agreements; and No. 11a, motion re promissory note arrangement (on Supplementary Order Paper). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) the...