Results 5,001-5,020 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

European Regulations: Referral to Joint Committee (7 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the...

EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement: Referral to Select Sub-Committee (7 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part, which was signed on 6th October, 2010, and laid before Dáil Éireann on 4th July, 2011, be referred to the Select sub-Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, in accordance with...

Order of Business (12 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: At least we have a candidate.

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: It is not as simple as robbing a bank.

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5 together. The Government is accountable to the Dáil through many mechanisms, including Leaders' Questions and parliamentary questions, debates, scrutiny of legislation and the work of Oireachtas committees. The programme for Government sets out an ambitious programme to strengthen Government accountability further. Some of the programme's proposals...

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I assure the Deputy that no effort is being made by the Government to reduce accountability to the House. Perhaps it is that Deputy Martin's predecessors droned on in replying to questions whereas we get to the point and answer questions. It is why we have run out of questions today.

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: The question Deputy Martin asked was on the accountability of the Government to the Oireachtas and I have replied to that question. We have met Opposition Whips and come up with a number of reforms. I hope they will be introduced by the first sitting day in September. The package we will introduce will be meaningful for Members opposite as well as Members on this side of the House, as they...

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: We have been here for only four months and we will introduce a package of reforms. Deputy Martin is totally wrong to state the Government is afraid to reply to questions in the House. He sat on the side of the House for 14 years and did not introduce one reform. To criticise the Government's reform package and accountability to the House is not meaningful.

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: If the Deputy wants to leave the House I have no problem with it, it is up to the Deputy. However, he has a spokesperson for each portfolio and if spokespersons are unable to question and hold to account Ministers it is not something I can do for them. It is up to each spokesperson. The other parties and groups are well able to hold Ministers to account. I understand Fianna Fáil might be...

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I have no doubt the Deputy will be able to raise the issue of bondholders when he is debating the Private Members' motion on special needs services this evening. Deputy Adams is here on a daily basis asking direct questions to the Taoiseach. I assure him the Taoiseach has answered any question put to him by Deputy Adams directly and truthfully. The Taoiseach is not afraid to come to the...

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I assure Deputy Adams that the Government is giving straight answers to straight questions. The Deputy referred to statistics in connection with the Minister for Health. While it is great for the Opposition to massage figures and statistics to suit its views, if the Deputies opposite want to listen to the truth, they should listen to what the Minister said.

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: That is a matter for the Minister for Health. The issue of bondholders is one for the Minister for Finance. I cannot do anything if the Deputies opposite cannot hold the Ministers for Health or Finance to account when they are replying to questions in the Chamber.

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: Perhaps Deputy Adams should have a chat with his party's spokespersons and give them some tips on how to hold Ministers to account. The question is about how to hold the Government to account and introduce reforms. We will introduce a reform package in September to make Parliament a place for more meaningful debate and ensure legislation can be swiftly brought through the House. While I do...

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: Deputy Boyd Barrett used the word "insulting". Perhaps he will discuss the word with some of his colleagues in the Technical Group.

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: If he wants to discuss the Economic Management Council, he should have tabled a question about it.

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: If he wants to hold the Taoiseach to account, he should have used the word "Taoiseach" rather then "Government" in his question. Perhaps the Taoiseach would then be in the Chamber replying to his questions. Holding the Government to account is about what happens in the Chamber, which falls to the Government and Opposition Whips. The Deputy will learn this when he spends more time here. I...

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I welcome the Deputy's comment that we have had meaningful discussions about Dáil reform. He also referred to holding the Government and Taoiseach to account. As the Ceann Comhairle outlined, if a Deputy has a problem with the manner in which questions are managed, he or she should raise it with the Ceann Comhairle who has overall responsibility for questions to the Taoiseach and decides...

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I assure you, a Cheann Comhairle, that the Taoiseach is not afraid to be held to account. These questions fall under my remit and I came here to answer them. Deputy Adams's questions refer to holding the Government to account. Deputy Adams has not put forward a single suggestion this morning as to how better to hold the Government to account. It is a missed opportunity for Deputy Adams to...

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: I repeat what I said. These questions fall under the Chief Whip's remit.

Government Accountability (13 Jul 2011)

Paul Kehoe: The questions are my responsibility. That is why I am replying to them. They are my responsibility. I am responsible for Dáil reform and this falls under Dáil reform. There is very little I can do if Deputy Adams does not want to accept my explanation. That is the question the Deputy asked-----