Results 27,141-27,160 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: Deputy McDonald asked me whether I believe the whistleblower's statement.
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: I want the Committee of Public Accounts, in its responsibility, to assess and analyse the legal advice it receives and to follow through on that.
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: If further investigation is warranted of any of the decisions taken, or not taken, by the agencies of State then so be it and the Committee of Public Accounts will have a responsibility in that regard. We cannot stand over a situation where a whistleblower under the protection of legislation comes forward with allegations or statements and they are not followed through or investigated.
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: That is the purpose of the legislation. It is a radical departure where the whistleblower in this case must be protected.
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: It is a very far cry from the way Deputy McDonald's people looked after whistleblowers over the past 35 years.
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: No, I do not agree.
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: However, I agree that the situation the Government inherited three and a half years ago was unprecedented in terms of the scale of the economic challenge. A total of 250,000 jobs were lost. Virtually every house in the country was in negative equity. There was disillusionment and disappointment and no hope. Emigration and poverty stared many in the face. We have come a long way since...
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: -----but the figures that are now emerging show an improvement in the situation for children and families all over the country.
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: With interest rates having fallen to less than 2% for the country, the creation of 75,000 new jobs, with the highest rise in consumer confidence in seven years and the first budget in seven years where there were no tax increases and no reductions in services, the improvement speaks for itself.
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: Deputy Joan Collins mentioned housing. In the recent budget the Government allocated €2.2 billion for social housing and is bringing forward changes in flexibility in the planning legislation, with two Bills on the way. In addition, there has been an instruction to NAMA to assist in terms of the provision of both unfinished units and land for construction to take place. Money has...
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: As she pointed out, this is something that has befallen tens of thousands of families. I say to Deputy Collins that it is the reason in the budget that for the first time in quite a long time, the Government was able to reverse the trend by reducing income tax.
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: Following the income tax reduction, a couple with two incomes stand to have €1,200 returned to them. As the Deputy is also aware, child benefit increased by €5 per child per month. That will apply again next year and the following year. It is a recognition of the sacrifices made by people but it is also a reflection of the Government wanting to give back to those who have been...
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: The UNICEF report covers the period to 2012. What the Deputy does not seem to accept is that the changes happening in our economy are reflecting to the benefit of families and children-----
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: I refer to the jobs being created which impact on the economic situation for more and more families.
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: With unemployment falling from 15.2% to 11% and soon to be at around 10%, it is heading in the right direction.
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: It is still much too high but it is in a stronger position than previously. The jobs being created now, such as 2,000 jobs announced last week, will also benefit the current situation and in the future. That is what we want to build on. Deputy Collins referred to the water charges when she spoke about the letter from the young mother in Cork. As I pointed out to the Deputy, in this most...
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: For a working couple on average wages of €50,000 a year, the return will be of the order of €1,200, together with the increased €5 per child per month.
- Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: The GP cards being extended to children aged under six means no payment at the point of contact with the doctor. The provision of the free preschool year is a help to many families - not everybody - but to many families with young children of preschool age. This will continue in the future.
- Order of Business (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: It is proposed to take No. 14, motion re appointing an ordinary member to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission; No. 14a, Finance Bill 2014 - Financial Resolutions; No. 31, statements on allegations regarding sexual abuse by members of the provisional republican movement; and No. 32, statements on the fourth report of the Constitutional Convention on the Dáil electoral system. It is...
- Order of Business (12 Nov 2014)
Enda Kenny: I note the point that Deputy Higgins makes. He always makes the same point if there is a change in representation on the commission.