Results 12,981-13,000 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Order of Business (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I cannot provide an exact time but preliminary work has started. As work is proceeding, we will keep the Deputy informed. There is no fixed time for it yet.

Order of Business (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: Yesterday I mentioned that while the fiscal responsibility Bill may get through, it does not have the same priority as some of the Bills that must be passed because the EU-IMF deal is conditional on them. It is sometimes difficult to get an accurate fix on when these complex Bills can be brought through. I have undertaken to the House to provide an accurate revision of where we are with all...

European Council Meetings (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The European Council on 11 March 2011 was called to discuss the unfolding developments in Libya and the southern Mediterranean area. I received the normal briefings prepared by officials for a Taoiseach in advance of a meeting of this kind. At the meeting, there was general discussion around the table, in which I participated,...

European Council Meetings (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I set out my priorities and I have made the point that working to defend and advance Ireland's interests is my absolute priority. That means building alliances of support politically. I do not set the agenda for the European Council meeting, although I will contribute to it and I have outlined the general principles surrounding the agenda, which is not yet finally determined. The question...

European Council Meetings (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I do not expect it to come up on the agenda because it has already been devolved to the Ministers responsible for finance. If it comes up I will be there to deal with it. I have noted the unemployment figures from the live register, which are too high. Every job lost is a tragedy for somebody and every job gained is a source of enjoyment and happiness. Considering the difference between...

European Council Meetings (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: Of course.

European Council Meetings (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: Of course.

European Council Meetings (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I fully understand that any country can contribute to the setting of an agenda for a meeting but my point is that I do not set the full agenda and it is not yet set. The extraordinary meeting of the European Council on 11 March was convened by President Van Rompuy to discuss developments in Libya and the southern Mediterranean region. It was to set the political direction and priorities for...

European Council Meetings (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I am surprised at the Deputy. He knows that he is speaking about the difference between chalk and cheese because these are two very different situations. I sympathise with the Greek people in their difficulties. I spoke with the Greek Prime Minister in a face-to-face meeting at which he explained the difficulties that his country was beginning to experience and asked for support in respect...

European Council Meetings (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: Our intention to pursue Ireland's best interest has not disappeared. I have every faith in the capacity of the Minister for Finance to deal with the responsibility allocated to him and his colleagues by the Heads of Government. The Minister pointed out in a contribution which received credible support that the level of interest in European programmes should be lower and that the cost is too...

European Council Meetings (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I do not know whether the Deputy was listening. This decision in respect of concluding the negotiations on interest rates has been devolved-----

European Council Meetings (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: He might disagree with it but that is the decision of the Heads of Government of the European Union. They made the decision because the Irish banks' stress tests were not complete and they told me they would be unable to deal with the issue if our figures were not accurate. The stress tests were not completed and for that reason the Heads of Government gave responsibility for the matter to...

European Council Meetings (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: The Ministers for Finance will conclude the negotiations on the interest rate reductions being sought by this and other countries. If they fail to do that and the matter is returned to the Heads of Government, so be it. I have every faith in the ability of our Minister for Finance to do his part of that job. He is doing it very clearly and in a strong and forthright fashion. The level of...

European Council Meetings (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: Approximately €400 million. I may not be accurate but I think that is what it is about.

Departmental Staff (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together. There are five special advisers appointed in my Department, four of whom are my special advisers and one of whom is special adviser to the Government Chief Whip. In general, the primary function of special advisers is to help achieve the Government's objectives and secure the implementation of the programme for Government. My special...

Departmental Staff (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: Mr. Kennelly deals with the Northern Ireland section of the Department and he has dealt with this brief for a number of years. Mr. Andrew McDowell deals with the economic management council. He has been our economist for a number of years and he is obviously associated and acquainted with all the elements of the programme for Government and advises me on a regular basis about issues related...

Departmental Staff (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: Did the Deputy like it?

Departmental Staff (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I do not know. I assume if I started off talking about comely maidens dancing at the crossroads, people would have said, "I heard that speech before somewhere".

Departmental Staff (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I know.

Departmental Staff (1 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I have no idea where the briefings came from. It is irrelevant to me. I expect people to do their jobs. I take the Deputy's point but I have no idea what discussion took place about that.