Results 34,121-34,140 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Business of Dáil (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: The question was asked yesterday that if Deputy Gerry Adams wished to make a statement, whether I would give Government time for it and I said yes. Obviously, the making of a personal statement is a matter between the Ceann Comhairle and the Deputy involved. I am sorry that a message to the contrary was sent. It is for the Deputy to deal with the Ceann Comhairle, but the question I was...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. I attended the British-Irish Council which was hosted by the Welsh Government in Cardiff on 25 November. The Council continued our discussions on the emerging impacts of Brexit for member administrations. The themes raised included the implications for the economy and trade, the common travel area and relations with the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: In the course of the meeting with Prime Minister May we did not discuss the British corporation tax rate. I have made it clear on many occasions we are supportive of the devolution of authority to the Northern Ireland Executive Assembly to be able to determine itself the question of a reduction in its corporation tax rate, which would approach ours here. It would make it easier in many ways...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together. The Government has established ten Cabinet committees, on the following topics: housing; health; social policy and public service reform; justice reform; European affairs; regional and rural affairs; economy, trade and jobs; infrastructure, environment and climate action; arts, Irish and the Gaeltacht and the Islands; and Brexit. A...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: I thank the Deputies for their questions. Deputy Brendan Howlin raised an interesting point. Long before he and I came to the House as Deputies, it was always an issue.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: Issues, for whatever reason, emerged from the Cabinet, sometimes before they had even been dealt with by the Cabinet. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, who now approaches from on high, is entitled to comment on decisions that have been made by the Cabinet. Yesterday, I asked the Minister to brief the Cabinet members on the situation regarding Bus...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: The Cabinet approved the Schedule yesterday. The Bill will be published shortly and will go to the committee for pre-legislative scrutiny in parallel with Deputy Jim O'Callaghan's Bill. The intention is that the programme for Government requirements will be implemented. We have brought into being the independent Policing Authority, with which Deputy Brendan Howlin is very familiar. It is...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: The new policy is in respect of a judicial appointments commission. As the Deputy is aware, it is done by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, which has a majority of legal personnel with some members from lay society. The programme for Government sets out a process by which it would be changed and made more transparent and very accountable, with a lay chairperson and a lay majority....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 12, inclusive, together. On Monday, 28 November I had a number of engagements in Vatican City, including a private audience with His Holiness, Pope Francis. I had a separate meeting with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and his officials, and I also attended a reception for the Irish community hosted by the Irish ambassador, H.E. Emma...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Thomas Byrne raised a number of questions. I am glad that the Government was in a position to reopen an embassy in Vatican City. The decision to close the embassy had been based on a retirement and the perilous economic state of the country at the time. I commend the ambassador Ms Emma Madigan for her diligence in the work she is doing in the Irish Embassy to the Holy See. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: I was glad that he confirmed to me that he would come to Ireland during August 2018. The plans as to where he will visit are a matter to be worked out in discussions with the bishops. The Pope confirmed that would be the case. I said to the Pope that on his visit to Ireland his predecessor was unable to visit Northern Ireland because of the troubles there and that if a visit to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: He referred to the matter in our discussions. I expressed to him the situation that applied in Ireland, whereby there was unbridled joy from all the people in respect of Ireland being the first country where a citizens' convention made a recommendation that a referendum should be held on the question of marriage equality and that the people responded very strongly in giving their ascent and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ministerial Advisers (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: I have three Special Advisers, one of whom is my Chief of Staff, who assist me, as appropriate, by providing advice; monitoring, facilitating and securing the achievement of Government objectives; and performing such other functions as may be directed by me. The Public Service Management Act 1997 provides for the appointment of Special Advisors to Government Ministers. I understand that...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: State Investments (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: My Department or the agency under my remit the National Economic and Social Development Office, does not have any investments either directly or indirectly through pension or other investment funds, in tobacco companies.

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: It is always a very difficult situation when a child is assessed as being on a particular point on the autistic spectrum and it creates a great challenge for the child, the parents and a school. In some cases, however, things work out very well. The NCSE is carrying out a review of facilities for autistic children nationally, with particular emphasis on Cork. The number of classes for...

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: The matter should be discussed on Committee Stage. The Deputy asks that the State compel schools to form such classes.

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: He is aware that the State can oblige a school to take in a pupil. It is a very different prospect to legislate to the effect that such classes for children with autism must be created. This is a big difference. I am quite sure the Minister is willing to tease out the issue on Committee Stage of the schools admissions Bill. However, the Deputy suggests that boards of management in...

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: -----whereas we know that the Department can oblige a school to take a child into a class if the school attempts to refuse to do so. It is a different prospect to set out to issue instructions and orders to every school to form ASD classes. The Minister would be very happy to engage with the Deputy or anyone else on the matter in the discussions on Committee Stage of the admissions to...

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: In the past hour, the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has launched publically the rental strategy which has been worked on extensively in recent months. The rental strategy covers a number of areas relating to security which will bring greater certainty to tenants and landlords. It covers supply and will maintain levels of existing rental stock and promote...

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: This is a comprehensive programme. I am sure Deputy Adams has not read it yet. He might make time to read it.