Results 5,581-5,600 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Enda Kenny: I support the motion that this House has no confidence in the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. The principal reason she should resign is her failure to oversee in a competent manner a health system that provides proper care for patients. She has failed to lead our health service, failed to deliver on commitments made by her own Government, and ultimately failed those...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Enda Kenny: The so-called communications failure that the Minister hides behind is only a symptom of a serious failure in the governance of our health service. It is a symptom of a health system where the Minister and her Department have detached themselves from the delivery of the service. It is a symptom of a service where the HSE is now a dysfunctional organisation, with senior executives kept in...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Enda Kenny: I never expected the Minister, Deputy Harney, to quit. This Government does not do resignation. It cannot do resignation because that culture comes from the top, from a Taoiseach who has lost the confidence of the people but clings to power. The Taoiseach and the rest of them will support the Minister, Deputy Harney, because his party needs her. Deputy Harney is the mudguard of the Fianna...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Enda Kenny: In recent days some commentators have asked what would be achieved by the resignation of the Minister, Deputy Harney.

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Enda Kenny: I will tell them what would be achieved. First, they would get a change of heart. Second, a new Minister would be appointed. Third, he or she would understand that with a crisis like that in Portlaoise a Minister should be on top of his or her brief. He or she would ensure that women who needed attention would not be waiting for weeks or months for it. He or she would have a mandate to...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Enda Kenny: A new Minister would also send a clear message that times have changed and that performance and output must be achieved in the interests of the patient. The Minister, Deputy Harney, has failed to achieve that vision set out in the Government's health strategy for which she is responsible and in which she speaks of "a health system that is there when you need it, that is fair and that you can...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Enda Kenny: The Government seems to have a problem in bringing forward legislation. In recent weeks there have been a series of statements to which I do not object. The Tánaiste said last night that Members should speak in the House on issues of importance. I put the Tánaiste on notice that in future if the Government intends to bring in a series of statements, there should be a motion from the...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Enda Kenny: Yesterday, I raised with the Taoiseach the findings and conclusions of a working group established by the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, into the requirements and conditions of employment for locums, but no answer was given. I note from a report in one of today's newspapers that when the Department of Health and Children was contacted on this matter, it could not find...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Enda Kenny: Does the Tánaiste believe the Taoiseach's evidence?

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Enda Kenny: We will not get an answer to that question.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Enda Kenny: The Government will not get away with this now.

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach if he has received an agenda for the December 2007 meeting of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28175/07]

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach if he has informed the other EU heads of Government of the timing of the referendum on the European reform treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28176/07]

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: Has the Government decided when the referendum will be held? Is it likely to be in May-June, before the summer, or will it be held over until the autumn? Is it likely that the people will have only one chance at this? The eyes of 500 million will watch this country next year. We are the only country that needs to hold a referendum. This is a chance for Ireland, on behalf of everybody...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. I share his sentiment that this obviously will be good for Ireland and Europe. We intend to play our part in that as fully as we can. Is the Government concerned about a revelation in a recent opinion poll that support for the EU reform treaty has halved since the previous poll? No more than the Taoiseach, I do not get carried away by opinion polls....

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: The Common Agricultural Policy.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: It gives me no satisfaction to have to raise again matters about which the Taoiseach spoke yesterday. However, it appears the credibility of the Taoiseach as leader of the country is being torn to shreds by contradictions emerging from statements he made here and elsewhere. The Irish people do not give two hoots whether the Taoiseach and Mr. Padraic O'Connor were friends, but it matters to...

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: When did the Taoiseach thank Padraic O'Connor?

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: The Taoiseach was asked yesterday, and he commented freely, about a false invoice. I have the quotation where he said he thanked Mr. O'Connor in January. Does the Taoiseach still accept that this was a debt of honour and a loan that he said he would repay with interest? The Taoiseach must return to the tribunal to answer more questions. Fundamentally, the equivalent of €300,000 in...

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: Before the Taoiseach speaks — I referred to the public comments made by him on national television, which he knew he was making and which are completely contradicted by persons in business and other locations, at the tribunal and outside. The Taoiseach spoke freely about this yesterday, in public.