Results 26,561-26,580 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Service Reform Plan Update (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform met yesterday, 29 September.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Service Reform Plan Update (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: The Government made a decision this morning, in respect of a memo brought forward by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to deal with the changing of the model and structure by which ministerial appointments will be made. This has been agreed and approved by the Government. All of the positions on boards will be advertised openly on the State's portal, StateBoards.ie, which is...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Service Reform Plan Update (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: As the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, has pointed out on many occasions, there has been a raft of reforms here, including those on lobbying, the Ombudsman, FOI and StateBoards.ie. In respect of StateBoards.ie, an excess of 60 individual campaigns was undertaken, involving 2,500 expressions of interest - approximately 40 candidates per campaign. Some 200...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Service Reform Plan Update (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: -----transfers the validation and assessment to an outside, independent organisation, so that when Ministers get names for appointment, they will have been assessed as suitably qualified and appropriate for the board on which they wish to serve.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Service Reform Plan Update (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: I point out to the Deputy that the Cabinet sub-committee has already published two reports in respect of over 200 individual actions, and they are available for him to read, if he wishes. The role of the sub-committee is to provide a basis for cross-departmental co-ordination in the areas of social exclusion, social inclusion, poverty reduction and service delivery, including providing...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Service Reform Plan Update (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: No, I do not agree at all with that. The Cabinet sub-committee, as he is aware, is able to bring together different personnel from different Departments with a view to focusing on particular issues like homelessness, dementia or other social inclusion areas that need to be dealt with, be it anything from the post office network on. The Deputy asked how we can now be sure this is going to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Service Reform Plan Update (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: There is actually because the people who apply on StateBoards.ieapply on the basis that they know on which board they would like to serve and the conditions, criteria and skills set necessary to serve on such a board. It is not the Minister who assesses their validity to fit the criteria but the Public Appointments Service system. When it comes back to the Minister with a list of names,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Service Reform Plan Update (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: While it has nothing to do with the question, the person mentioned as being the driver has resigned from the board of Irish Water.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 24, inclusive, together. I attended European Council meetings in June, July and August. The main purpose of the special European Council in August was to elect a new President of the European Council and appoint the new High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. I am very pleased that the Polish Prime Minister, Donald...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: The situation in Hong Kong was not discussed at the European Council meeting. It had not erupted in the manner it has in more recent times. I deplore that kind of activity and hope the situation can be stabilised quickly. There is no doubt that it will be discussed in the future. On the question of finances, the banking union structure has continued to be put in place at official level...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: Maybe, yes.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: It is just not good enough. Deputy Martin raised Gaza as well. It is a country surrounded by Arab countries and on three occasions in the past 30 or 40 years a two-state solution was offered but rejected because of the inability of Arab nations to get agreement on this very controversial situation. It is unacceptable in any circumstances that, as pointed out by Deputy Micheál Martin,...

Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: It is proposed to take No. 16, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Kingdom of Belgium) Order 2014 (back from committee); No. 17, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income and Capital Gains) (Kingdom of Thailand) Order 2014 (back from committee); No. 18, motion re...

Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: These matters were discussed by the Select sub-Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform last week. The select sub-committee did not take a vote on them. Ireland has double taxation agreements with 71 countries. It is important to state it participated fully in the discussions which took place at the European Council meeting on the OECD's response on the base erosion...

Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: In Ireland's case - as is the position with all other countries - whatever global decisions are made and when the elements beyond the corporation tax rate are stripped away, there are still exceptional opportunities in terms of our talent pool, track record and technology. I have no problem in conceding to a comprehensive debate on this issue which is fundamentally important in the context...

Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: The credit guarantee (amendment) Bill is due this session. Under its regulations, the ECB does not allow banks to lend more than 60% of what is required. I find the report which indicates that the banks here are lending up to four and a half times a couple's combined income extraordinary. We will obtain a report on the matter. The Bill, as stated, will be published this session. I may...

Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: I stay in a small apartment not far from here and received my notice from Irish Water. I do not believe the apartment is metered, unless it is done on a central basis. I have been asking questions about the matter. Obviously, I intend to pay whatever my water charge will be. I have not come across an arrangement for amending the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. However, I will obtain a...

Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: The health reform Bill is a major piece of work that the Minister is looking at. There are several blockages in the system in respect of patients being taken in. This is about hospital management, as Deputy Wallace is well aware. Over the coming period the new Minister for Health will report on the progress of the health reform Bill and perhaps bring the committee up-to-date. Deputy...

Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: The Construction Contracts Bill has gone through the Houses, as Deputy McGrath is aware, but I gather the implementation body is not fully operational yet. I assume the Deputy is referring to a recent dispute with a construction firm not too far from here. I will send Deputy McGrath an up-to-date report on the current situation. There is no date for the publication of the family courts...

Order of Business (30 Sep 2014)

Enda Kenny: The broadcasting Bill is due for early next year. The health situation is always challenging, especially with a very substantial overrun this year. The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, is now engaged with officials from his Department as well as the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and his officials to try to work out the best option for the budget for 2015. I have already answered...