Results 36,661-36,680 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Leaders' Questions (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: I will answer the Deputy's question. He knows quite well what he is doing in here. He wants to raise as many subjects as he can. That is his political business.

Leaders' Questions (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: As Deputy Barry knows, the Charleton tribunal made an interim report to the Clerk of the Dáil on 18 May last. In that report, the sole member outlined the parties who have been granted representation before the tribunal. They include Sergeant Maurice McCabe; Superintendent David Taylor, who is a former Garda press officer; the Garda Commissioner; and the former Garda Commissioner,...

Order of Business (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: It has been a while since I spoke to President el-Sisi directly. I have spoken to him directly on two occasions and have also written him a very strong letter. We have supported the all-party delegation led by the Ceann Comhairle and the request for release on humanitarian grounds. The Cabinet made a decision to send an Irish medical doctor to Egypt to assess Ibrahim Halawa's health. I...

Order of Business (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: I have not had time to read it, but I expect there should be an early debate on it in the House. The important thing is there is cross-party political consensus on the main issues in the report, and from a politician's perspective, this is an important element which we have not had before. I commend the members of the committee, who have worked to remove elements of the health system from...

Order of Business (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: I expect the Whip will bring in the new judicial appointments Bill on 20 June. Members will have different views on it, but it is agreed from a Government perspective. This is a radical departure bringing transparency, yet it retains the responsibility of Cabinet making decisions at Government level on judicial appointments and having a choice to do so. It is expected to be come in on 20...

Estimates for Public Services 2017 (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: I move the following Supplementary Estimates: Vote 1 — President’s Establishment (Revised Estimate)That a sum not exceeding €3,903,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2017, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Secretary General to the President, for certain other...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Security Committee (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions No. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. Having regard to the confidential nature of the work of the national security committee, it would not be appropriate to disclose information about the dates of individual meetings or about its proceedings. The committee is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government and comprises representatives at the highest level of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Security Committee (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: This is probably one of the most serious matters that can ever be considered here. There are some things one can say and some things one cannot say. Facilities at Shannon Airport have been used for many years by members of the US Air Force, but I have no evidence of rendition flights through it. Deputy Mick Wallace has been there on a number of occasions. Deputy Gerry Adams has stated...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Security Committee (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: As the Deputy is aware, we have had enough discussion here about the structure of the Garda to get it right. If there is to be a second element, which may well be worthwhile, that is another matter. I do not want to prejudge the expertise available to the O'Toole commission. The evolution through the independent Policing Authority and the changes with GSOC and the Garda Inspectorate will...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Seanad Reform (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: I met with Mr. Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator for Brexit in Government Buildings on 11 May. I was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Minister for Finance-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Seanad Reform (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: I am sorry. I am jumping the gun. Gabh mo leithscéal. A major mistake.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Seanad Reform (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: Go easy on me now. I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 9, inclusive, together. In the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government stated its intention to reform Seanad Éireann and committed to pursuing implementation of the report of the working group on Seanad reform, the Manning Report. That report was published in 2015 and is available on the Department's website....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Seanad Reform (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: I admit that I am guilty of not having put this together. We had questions in the House on 22 February. At that time I said that there was a dispute over who would chair the group. I think Deputy Martin had one nominee and I had another. Let me renew my activities to see if we can get a chair and get it set up. I would like to do that. Deputy Howlin asked me when the next election is...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Seanad Reform (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: There is a confidence and supply agreement and all the rest of it. Politics has a peculiar way of moving things along. I would not like to hazard a guess on it, but hopefully it will be a long time away for those who are continuing on in Government. I will try to sort this in the next couple of days.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 17, inclusive, together. I met with Mr. Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator for Brexit, in Government Buildings on Thursday 11 May. I was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Minister of State for European affairs. The meeting provided...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Burton raised the question of AIB. The Minister for Finance has taken a lead role on this. Under EU fiscal rules, the proceeds of any sale may not be used to fund increased expenditure irrespective of whether such expenditure is classified as current or as capital. On the accounting treatment of any proceeds from such a transaction, the position is that the sale of such financial...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: The Minister informed the Government of his process to this point. He expects he will keep Government informed and that he expects to make a decision in the next 48 hours.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: While not improving the deficit-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: -----cash proceeds from the sale of bank shares would result in a reduced requirement for Exchequer borrowing, which ultimately results in lower debt. A lower debt level is not only beneficial for the fiscal sustainability of the State, but will also lead to reduced interest payments in future years. It is crucial that increases in funding for public investment are based on sustainable...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 May 2017)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Gerry Adams raised the question of papers produced by Mr. Barnier in respect of citizens' rights. We are engaged with Brussels and London on a daily basis about all of these matters. The Government will respond to the papers and they can be debated here. I note the Deputy's comment about Mr. Colum Eastwood, MLA, and the united Ireland referendum. I do not believe that the...