Results 24,281-24,300 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: I considered this matter with the former Tánaiste, Dick Spring, more than 20 years ago and it certainly is not as simple as the Deputy suggests to give a democratic franchise in a global sense. Are the citizens of Belfast, Derry, Coleraine and Newtownards entitled to vote under the Deputy's proposition for election to the Seanad here in this location?
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: Are they entitled to nominate candidates from the jurisdiction in which they live?
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: There is a raft of questions that Deputy Martin and Deputy McDonald certainly would need to answer in that regard.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: When I discussed this point about the diaspora previously-----
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: -----Deputy Martin suggested that the organisations representing the diaspora in America, Australia, Britain and so on would get together and nominate a person to attend the Seanad. However, when I first broached it with them, the list of those who wished to be appointed to represent the diaspora in the Seanad went from Leinster House to Newport-----
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: -----or from Brisbane to San Diego.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: Consequently, it is a question of dealing with the elitism that exists in that sense. Deputy Timmins made a valid point. As the Deputy is not a representative of an official political party, I am sure his views as an experienced Member would be welcome to be fed in through the system here by sending his observations-----
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: -----to the Clerk of the Seanad to be given to the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges and to be fed into the system in that way, as it is there that the observations will be taken from the parties and from individuals. I suggest the Deputy could do this. In response to Deputy McDonald, I would not in any way show sarcasm about many colleagues in the Seanad, whom I have known for...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: Yes, of course. My point to Deputy McDonald is that it has not been done but will be done now. The point is that this is one democratic piece of progress-----
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: -----that extends the remit to the many thousands of graduates over the years who were disenfranchised by the elitism of the current system that applied under the NUI.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: Deputy Higgins again mentioned the European Central Bank and the making of bogus promises. The promise that was made in regard to the Seanad was to hold a referendum.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: The people decided very clearly in that referendum. I accept that decision, and we have moved on from there to engage with the Seanad, to make it more meaningful, to implement the recommendations of the referendum.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: Deputy Boyd Barrett talks about his consistency of protest, the political system and promises that were made.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: That promise was to hold a referendum on the Seanad and let the people decide, and they have given their decision very clearly.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: I agree with Deputy Boyd Barrett that where a change has occurred it is very necessary that people be able to engage with the political process. That is why we have changed the system so that heads of Bills go from Cabinet to the Oireachtas committees, there is consultation with the chairmen and they can call in members of the public, organisations, agencies or individuals to engage with...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: On the task force, I have no difficulty with this, but in respect of real engagement by the Seanad within the existing rules, we must change the legislation consequent on the referendum about the extension of the vote. There is a whole raft of work about which I intend to engage with the Committee of Procedures and Privileges. The question of a task force examining some future options will...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: Because Deputy Martin has not answered any question about the people in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Britain, Northern Ireland or anywhere else.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: He wants them all to vote.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: He has put no thought whatsoever into it.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Enda Kenny: He should come back with his paper.