Results 21,241-21,260 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy has raised three important issues. I reiterate that it is the right of any worker to join a trade union. While it is assumed that the joining of a trade union brings with it bargaining rights, this also assumes the number of members is such that it will make that happen.

Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: As I stated, the unique structure of Irish industrial relations has, by and large, stood the test of time and it is important that we retain the voluntary concept. It is not true that workers are always the last to be paid when companies are liquidated. While there may be challenges or competing interests from different creditors, when companies become insolvent or are liquidated it is...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The programme for Government contains a commitment to put to the people a referendum to abolish the Seanad and the necessary Bill is currently being drafted. It is the intention to publish the Bill in the current session in order that there will be ample time for debate on it prior to a referendum later in the year.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: I was not grinning. I have just taken a drink of water.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: I thank the Deputy for her question. The reason this is not a matter for the Constitutional Convention to consider is because part of the programme of Government was to establish that convention in order to see how it might work. Also, we specifically decided to put to the people a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad. In March the Government commissioned the work relating to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: I thank Deputy Higgins. As I informed Deputy McDonald, it is proposed to hold this and a number of other referenda in the autumn. I cannot provide a specific date as yet because the Government has not made a decision in that regard. When the Bill is published, it will deal with all the issues relating to the removal of references, direct and indirect, to the Seanad in the Constitution. It...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: What was the Deputy's first question?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: What was the Deputy's point about public representatives?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: There are a number of countries, such as New Zealand, Denmark and Sweden, that have unicameral systems. The situation, in so far as people being elected by a different method to the Dáil is concerned, is that the Consitutional Convention will look at the electoral system. Clearly, it may make its views known as to the kind of electoral system, the issue of constituencies, boundaries,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: The Bill will be published this session. All of the information available will be published at the same time and will be made available to everybody. On the question of when, if the people decide in the autumn to say that they, by referendum, want to abolish Seanad Éireann, their decision will become effective, my view is that it would happen just before the commencement of operations...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: For the Deputy's information in regard to the unitary patent, the position is that the Government decided this morning that it would not be feasible to do that this year because there were a number of issues from a European perspective that were not clear yet. This will require some legislation. The Government reflected on this. It would be more appropriate to hold that referendum as one...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 13, inclusive, together. I travelled to Davos, Switzerland, to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, from 23 to 25 January. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, was also invited by the WEF to attend the forum on this occasion, noting that it was taking place during Ireland's Presidency of the European Union. The World...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: In respect of telecommunications and Myanmar, I had a visit from a company interested in Irish potential in the area. I had an engagement with it about the possibilities it sees for Irish involvement in trading with a country that has enormous resources and has distinct possibilities for a trading nation such as this country. I have never been there. I discussed the matter briefly with a...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: No, I did not discuss the questions Deputy McDonald raised arising from Mr. Barroso’s comments or the comments of Mr. Ashoka Mody, the former IMF employee, because they had not been made at that time. As I indicated to Deputy Martin, we discussed the range of priorities for our Presidency, the challenge for this country and the difficulties people were experiencing because we did not...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: Ericsson.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: The World Economic Forum in Davos was in operation long before I occupied these benches. It is an opportunity to meet chief executives and senior business personnel from around the world, many of whom have investments in this country and who create jobs as a consequence, which is very important for our economy. It is not a case of rubbing shoulders with superior capitalists, as Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: -----which is an indication of his connection with Ireland. He had been here on holidays on a number of occasions. It was far from the Deputy's vision of me rubbing shoulders with the elite, eating caviar and drinking wine because I know where I come from.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Higgins asked if I learned any new ideas at Davos and the answer is "Yes", quite a number. I did not meet any plumbers from Castlebar but the chief executive of the World Bank said in his contribution to the meetings that in the next 30 to 40 years, water will be one of the most critical issues, globally. In fact he argued that it's shortage, use or misuse will be a cause of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: I am glad the Deputy was down in Avondale, which is a beautiful place, with a wonderful arboretum. It is a great place to go to reflect on the uncrowned high king of Ireland. In times to come, when the Deputy is sitting at the Cabinet table, he will be able to see the portrait of Mr. Parnell on the wall. The Deputy should think about that.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (30 Apr 2013)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy can take up his discussions with our former Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, who has some involvement in the matter, if he wishes to do so.