Results 34,721-34,740 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: In respect of policing, the commitment is to increase the Garda force to 15,000. For the first time in many years, there is an increase in the number of gardaí on the streets.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: That applies to rural Ireland as well. We have set out the policy in respect of increasing the number of teachers. The advantages for small towns and villages throughout the rural Ireland are dealt with under different incentive schemes arising from the CEDRA report, which was published a number of years ago and which has now evolved into this. The plan draws together many of the schemes...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: I think there is a reference to it. I will have a look at it. I think there is a reference.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, has made available €150 million in low-interest, long-term credit to those in the farming community. There is an increase in the micro loans that have been arranged for the credit unions and the facilities for that are increasing. Deputy Burton will be aware, as she played an important part in it, that there has been a...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: There is also the change the Deputy introduced in the Intreo offices of the Department of Social Protection where people now have specific case officers to work with them in terms of an enhanced rural social employment scheme or that type of operation.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: The enterprise offices at local level are all very busy. They have been well funded and opportunities are increasing every day. I note that the number of planning permission applications is rising and the commencement of construction of rural houses, which I have not seen for years, is under way again. These are signs of people having confidence in their locality and investing. Obviously,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. Under the programme for partnership Government, the Government is committed to holding constitutional referenda on the following matters: Article 41.2.1, regarding a "woman's life within the home"; Article 40.6.1, on the offence of blasphemy; Ireland's participation in the Unified Patent Court; and giving the office of Ceann...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: As I said to the Deputy previously, the Government has not considered holding any referendum in 2017 as yet.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: The four matters that were approved by the Government for the holding of referenda were from the previous convention. The Citizens' Assembly will present its report before the end of June. I do not know what the report will contain in terms of recommendations or proposals. That is a matter for the assembly and the sole member, Ms Justice Laffoy. They operate independently of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: I do not expect that there will be a need for a constitutional referendum from that perspective. Clearly, the negotiations have not started yet but from my understanding I do not expect it to be the case.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: The phrase, "detailed consideration" means being examined properly. It is not as simple as saying we will give everybody who is an Irish citizen the right to vote in presidential elections. Potentially, a very substantial number of people worldwide could claim Irish citizenship. Do we extend the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts to a second or third generation who could claim Irish...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: We must examine it in a practical effective way, which would allow people outside this jurisdiction the opportunity and right to vote in a presidential election. When I say it is receiving detailed consideration I mean that it is being examined from a number of points of view to see what is possible. I would like to be in a position to be able to deal with this, because it has been a...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy has got ahead of himself. I presume his view is that of the Anti-Austerity Alliance. I do not share his view. He said the Citizen's Assembly was a cynical delaying tactic. It is no such thing. It does not involve an unrepresentative group, as the Deputy suggested. The people who serve on the Citizens' Assembly were carefully and independently chosen by age, gender and region...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy asked me to commit to a referendum before the end of June. We will not have the report from the Citizens' Assembly until the end of June. As the Deputy knows, any referendum requires a long lead-in time in order for people to understand the issues at stake, which must be answered by a yes or no question.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: I share the view that it should be a special committee. In respect of any referendum, the Referendum Commission will have adequate resources and time to do its job. In the event of a referendum being held, proper background documentation, such as a White Paper, will be prepared. I will ensure there will be ample opportunity for discussion on whatever the subject might be.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together. The Cabinet committee on the economy, trade and jobs last met on Thursday, 26 January 2017. The next Cabinet committee will take place in the coming weeks.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: Next Tuesday, I will bring a memo to the Government. On Wednesday, I expect to make a statement on Brexit. I will follow it with the second all-island forum on the Friday. I have said very clearly that I do not want the Border to be as it was. I have very deliberately and clearly told this to the Prime Minister. The situation arose due to a vote by the UK electorate. We should take note...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: It is not absolute nonsense.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: I have made the case on many occasions that we have a particular set of circumstances in Northern Ireland which are special and unique. It is the only peace process in Europe which is supported by Europe. We have the PEACE and INTERREG funds and we want to be able to continue to build on them. When one crosses into the Six Counties, or Northern Ireland, there is no visible Border and we...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Feb 2017)

Enda Kenny: He wants a situation where one has de facto a united Ireland by having all traces of any Border removed out beyond Fair Head.