Results 27,981-28,000 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Stát Seirbhís (20 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: Díríonn obair mo Roinne go príomha ar dhéileálacha leis an Rialtas agus le ranna agus gníomhaireachtaí eile rialtais. Mar thoradh air sin, ní thugaimid leibhéal mór éilimh faoi deara ón bpobal ar sheirbhísí i nGaeilge. Thug roinnt comhaltaí foirne i mo Roinn le fios go bhfuil roinnt inniúlachta acu sa...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Economic Policy (20 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: The Government Policy Statement on Sectoral Economic Regulation was published on 22 July 2013. Sectoral Ministers and their Departments have lead responsibility for the implementation of the actions as set out in the Statement. Progress on implementation is set out in the quarterly progress report of the Action Plan for Jobs. The latest version is available on the Department of Jobs,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Legislative Measures (20 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: No Bills have been initiated in my Department since September 2013.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Data (20 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, together. My Department participates in the Staff Exchange Scheme between the Civil Service and the Private Sector. This Scheme, managed by the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform, is designed to enhance communication, co-operation and understanding between the Civil Service and the Private Sector and to provide staff...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (20 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: My Department has paid no moneys to external consultants, professional companies or advisors in relation to the Action Plan for Jobs at any stage since the inception of the Action Plan for Jobs since 2012.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Public Inquiries (20 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: Each Government Department has responsibility in relation to any inquiry established under it and is, therefore, the Department most likely to be affected by any financial liability on the Exchequer. The following inquiries/tribunals have been established under my Department: - Tribunal of Inquiry (Dunnes Payments) (McCracken) - Tribunal of Inquiry into payments to politicians and...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Martin is right to raise the point, which he knows from his own experience, that the only people who suffer here are the students. It is of particular concern to them that a second day of strike is taking place tomorrow. Deputy Martin is also right when he says that the strike is avoidable. It is avoidable. The Minister has made it perfectly clear on more than one occasion that she...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: The Minister for Education and Skills did stand back to consider the proposals that were on the table. She engaged with the teachers, listened to them, took on board what they had said and changed the nature of the proposals. Change is always difficult to accept. It was not the Minister or the students who called the strike; it was called by the teachers. One element of what the Minister...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: I share the Deputy's view on the importance of strong leadership from teachers, which has an incredible impact on many young minds and is important in terms of the quality and attractiveness of Irish students for what they do.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: Teaching plays an important role in this regard. This is not a case of the Minister imposing by diktat something that has been considered. Compromise has been brought about because she has engaged with teachers and listened carefully to what they have had to say. I recently spoke to somebody from a country which had changed the entire structure of examinations to one where boxes were...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: It is important that students are able to prepare for their examinations. Teachers are professionals and an element of assessing their own pupils is something they can manage with credibility and confidence.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: It is not a hardline stance. Everybody accepts that there is a need to change the structure of the junior certificate examinations. A number of proposals have been tabled during the years as to how this might happen. There is an evolution of change here for the junior certificate. The proposition on the table follows the Minister having listened very carefully to the teacher unions. If...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: However, we must change the structure of it. The Deputy has made the point himself - I agree with him - that the responsibility does not just lie with the Government. The Deputy recognises the need for change and it cannot be changed without the co-operation, willingness and support of teaching professionals. What was on the table was an original proposition from the former Minister,...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: While change is often difficult to accept, what we are doing is trying to provide the very best level of first examination process for students moving through secondary school. The Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and her people have spent hours engaging with unions and teachers on this change. It is a very progressive step in the right direction so that the integrity, quality, range and...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: As she has said on many occasions, the Minister is more than willing to continue to work and engage with teacher unions. I ask for that to happen. At the end of the day, this position will be resolved. The Minister has put a compromise on the table that is very reasonable and that should be accepted.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: I thank Deputy Tom Fleming for his question and comments. He has put his finger on the central issue for Government and one of the twin pillars of the mandate it was given: to fix our public finances and put our country back to work. I agree with Deputy Fleming that when a person is out of work for more than a year, or for two years and longer, it becomes very difficult to get the...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: I disagree with Deputy Tom Fleming's comment that there is no hope at all. There is a proven record of stabilising and growing many sectors. For example, the Government reduced the VAT rate in the hospitality sector from 13.5% to 9%. It stabilised the industry and created another 25,000 jobs. We also abolished the travel tax and implemented the concept of the Wild Atlantic Way, with a...

Order of Business (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: It is proposed to take No.a17, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the draft Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters) Order, 2015 (resumed); and No. 47, Workplace Relations Bill 2014 - Report and Final Stages (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that in the event a division is in progress at the...

Order of Business (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: There is no difficulty about this. As Deputies Adams and Martin have raised, it is an important matter. It is important that people who wish to speak on it should be given time. The Chief Whip has informed me that he has another list of Members who wish to speak - I did not have a contribution to speak on it myself - so the explanation is that there are more speakers who wish to contribute...

Order of Business (21 Jan 2015)

Enda Kenny: This is a false row and Deputies will have more than one and a half hours next week.