Results 32,941-32,960 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (12 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: There are a number of physical and medical standards laid down by the Military Authorities, including specified vision requirements, for entry to, and for continuance in service with, the Defence Forces. These requirements are based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and having regard to the nature of the job, the duties of military service and the training exercises undertaken...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (12 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 840 and 841 together. Primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (12 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: I can confirm that the Defence Forces have not been involved in repossessions or bankruptcy seizures in the past year.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: I can confirm that the Department of Defence did not hire any agency and or locum staff for each of the years 2011 to 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Websites (12 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: My Department has appointed a designated Access Officer. Key responsibilities include regularly monitoring and reporting on the Department of Defence website to ensure that it is accessible to people with disabilities. My Department is currently in the process of arranging for the redesign and update of its website. The issue of accessibility will be considered in the context of the...

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: First, the figures produced yesterday are unprecedented. They do not reflect accurately what is happening in the economy. Obviously, the figure of 26% is unprecedented and significantly stronger than the previous estimate of 7.8%, but it is important to note that is due to exceptional factors. It highlights the complexity and difficulty in interpreting the macroeconomic data in Ireland....

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: It is true to say the CSO is quite independent in how it does its analysis, but it does take these factors into account. Changes have occurred, such as the transition of entire public limited companies to Ireland and the transfer of a significant amount of intellectual property, contract manufacturing and the scale of aircraft leasing. The Deputy is right in terms of these figures boosting...

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: The Department of Finance will set out its projections later in the year, but it will also base its policy on a more normal growth rate, such as has been predicted by the Department, of in the region of 3.5% to 4%. I agree that an extraordinary elevation of 26% based on some of these factors and others, such as the depreciation of sterling, do not impact in reality on big numbers in terms of...

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: -----but it is important that on the underlying issues the growth in jobs and consumer spend and the drop in unemployment is where the real value of the economy is and the projections will be based on 3.5% to 4%.

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: For a great number of parents the school year begins when the summer holidays begins because the implications of the costs of returning to school begin to exert pressure at that point. Child benefit has increased and access to free GP care for younger children is a saving to parents. We strongly support any measures that can be taken to reduce uniform costs for parents, including measures...

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy is perfectly entitled to propose costed views for this or any other sector. I have pointed out some of the ways benefits have been increased for parents of young children through GP access, child benefit and the restriction on charging of fees under the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill. There are 18,700 applications for back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance and...

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: It is not the first time Deputy Wallace has raised a matter in respect of NAMA, which is a matter of public interest. As I said before on quite a number of occasions, the advice given to me by the authorities is that this loan portfolio was sold following an open process to the highest bidder. On the questions of allegations against certain individuals in Northern Ireland, NAMA paid no...

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: The Comptroller and Auditor General has indicated that he intends to issue a report, under section 11 of the Comptroller and Auditor General Act, following this review of Project Eagle, and that is consistent with his powers to investigate, scrutinise and report independently on any aspect of NAMA's work which may arise through its annual audits or special reports about any aspect of NAMA's...

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: I do not accept Deputy Wallace's assertion at all that there are people in government who do not want to know. He made a allegation. He asked me why Harcourt Street station was sold to a vulture fund. I will find out the answer for him. He made other allegations that are of a serious nature. I am quite sure he will bring them to the authorities.

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: I am sure that the Deputy also accepts that the Comptroller and Auditor General's office is completely independent and it is looking at Project Eagle-----

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: -----and if there is any issue in respect of an allegation being made about an individual or an entity, the Comptroller and Auditor General is perfectly entitled to-----

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: Yes, he is. He is perfectly entitled to investigate that completely independently. There are a lot of rumours going around and a lot of speculation and allegations. If the Deputy has evidence, I would be the first to say to him that this will be treated seriously, as it has been in a number of other areas where commissions have been involved.

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: I thank the Deputy for his comments and question. A moratorium on Garda recruitment was introduced in 2009. It has now been lifted and 1,200 gardaí have been recruited. The programme for Government commits to bringing Garda numbers to 15,000, which is important. The Government wants gardaí to be mobile and visible and have the facilities they need to do their job. More than...

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: Yes, I agree that the current bail laws need to be changed, and that is why the Tánaiste has asked the Attorney General to work on the bail laws over the summer period. That will involve those three things: the refusal of bail, the enhanced powers for the Garda where breaches take place, and electronic tagging, if necessary. I would make the point as well that we should commend the...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (13 Jul 2016)

Enda Kenny: Like the Deputy, I have had some meetings with members of the family. I am glad that the special unit will examine the case completely independently. It will be seen to that the resources it needs to do its job independently will be made available because the family is still grieving over the loss of Mary Boyle. The Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill is priority legislation and a...