Results 24,401-24,420 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Ceisteanna - Questions: Referendum Campaigns (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The Government has implemented a substantial programme of constitutional reform, holding six referendums since it took office. While we have no plans to hold a referendum during 2014, we announced that a number of referendums will be held in 2015. Others are under consideration. The details are as follows. Arising from recommendations...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Referendum Campaigns (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: The local and European elections will take place in May. Whatever result the people give, their choice will not change the Constitution. It will be a reflection of attitudes towards the Government and political parties and what they stand for at local and European level. The remit of the Constitutional Convention was extended to the end of March at the request of the chairman because the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Referendum Campaigns (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: It is important to have certainty on such a sensitive issue on which there are so many views. The best way to achieve this is by way of vote of the people in respect of the Constitution. Deputy Higgins will recall that in the drafting of the civil partnership arrangements, the legal advice was that marriage might not be constitutional if that happened. If an attempt was made to introduce...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Referendum Campaigns (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Adams is correct that there have been six referenda. These referenda concerned investigative powers for Oireachtas committees, judges' remuneration, the Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union, the children's referendum, abolition of the Seanad and the Court of Civil Appeal, some of which were held some time ago. Deputy Broughan has made...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Referendum Campaigns (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: What we have said is that the convention should send in the reports and there would be a response to them within six months. If we are going to have a referendum, then we would say so and give an indicative timeline. The indicative timeline for the next batch of referendums is spring 2015. We have identified three from the convention reports, those relating to same-sex marriage, a voting...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Referendum Campaigns (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Higgins raised the question of a referendum on the water issue in the autumn. There will be not be a referendum. I assure the Deputy that Uisce Éireann or Irish Water will not be privatised. It is a public entity in respect of the people of our country. The reason for setting up Uisce Éireann is not only the fact that we are the last country in the OECD to apply a charge...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Referendum Campaigns (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: I expect the Corrib field will flow to the terminal by the middle of next year.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Referendum Campaigns (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: It is not just a case of the cost of litigation. Referenda bring certainty. I hope the same sex marriage debate it is compassionate, considered and calm and the people of the country can give their judgment. One could attempt to legislate for it in the House but it would obviously be challenged. The case for the people's decision by referendum is the way to go and that referendum will be...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Management Council Meetings (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 6, inclusive, together. The Economic Management Council, EMC, has met ten times since the budget in October, most recently on 5 February. In general, the EMC meets on a weekly basis. The next meeting is due to take place on 12 February 2014

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Management Council Meetings (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: I thank the Deputy as this is an important question for the country and for the future. When I attended the G8 summit in Lough Erne, County Fermanagh on behalf of the EU Presidency on the invitation of Prime Minister Cameron, I was struck by the debate that took place during the formal session of the summit about Africa and by comments from African leaders who were present. They made the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Management Council Meetings (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: This matter was referred to in very clear terms by Mr. Angel Gurría, secretary general of the OECD, on Friday last in his very forthright comments regarding the progress being made by our country.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Management Council Meetings (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: Will the Deputy repeat his final question?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Management Council Meetings (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: I wish to confirm for the Deputy that all of the issues agreed by the economic management council for recommendation to the Cabinet are the subject of formal decision by the latter. He will recall that there was a Cabinet security committee in place in the 1960s and the 1970s.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Management Council Meetings (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy often informs me that he is a historian, that he reads widely and that he knows all about these things. Deputy Adams knows about them as well. There was a security committee which comprised a number of members of the Cabinets which held office in the 1960s and 1970s.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Management Council Meetings (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: The economic management committee was established with the status of a Cabinet committee. It has only four members, namely, myself, the Tánaiste and the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. I will not bother the House with the details of the agendas for each of our meetings but, as already stated, we discuss matters that go to Cabinet for decision. If issues need...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Management Council Meetings (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy referred to the loan relating to Irish Water being decided upon by the economic management committee. The latter does not make decisions on behalf of the Cabinet, rather it makes recommendations to the Cabinet for formal decision. The National Pensions Reserve Fund, NPRF, is independent in the context of its loan-making functions. It was a matter for the NPRF to decide whether...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Management Council Meetings (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: I cannot give the Deputy an exact date but I can assure him it will be well in advance. I am not talking about 48 hours, rather it will be a couple of weeks beforehand.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Management Council Meetings (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: I understand that. A great deal of work has been done.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Management Council Meetings (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: We want to be in a position to set out very clearly for people to understand that the costs involved are the costs required to provide the Irish consumer with a decent water supply and a platform for the future. It will deal with the comments such as that we are afraid to put out the business and financial model in advance of the local and European elections. Far from it. The people will...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Management Council Meetings (11 Feb 2014)

Enda Kenny: It depends on whom one believes. I refer to the comment made by Deputy Boyd Barrett. I confirm this matter has been discussed at the Economic Management Council and also by the Government which has authorised the Minister for Finance and me to participate in the international discussions at the European Council and the ECOFIN Ministers meeting and led by the OECD and 15 different sectoral...