Results 13,741-13,760 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny
- EU Summits (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: I am quite sure that as we stand here at 2.55 p.m. the agenda is not finalised for the meeting on Thursday. As the Deputy is aware, this evening, tomorrow and up until the time of the meeting there will be discussions and deliberations about this. As I stated here last week I hope there will be decisiveness, clarity and a comprehensive solution on this occasion. I note that Chancellor...
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: Work is proceeding in my Department on the preparation of proposals for a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad. When these proposals are ready, they will be considered by the Government. The proposal to abolish the Seanad was signalled by the Government parties prior to the general election and the programme for Government contains a commitment to put this question to the people in a...
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: Last week, Deputy Martin's phrase was that the Oireachtas was being subverted. We will deal with that when we come to a further question. Now, the Deputy maintains the Oireachtas is being marginalised. Today in the House of Commons, a committee is dealing with issues about phone hacking in News International because it is in a position to do that. The fact is that for 14 years nothing was...
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: That is why we are holding two referendums, one to deal with whistleblowers and one to deal with the consequences of the Abbeylara inquiry so those elected to the House by the people from all parties will have the authority of a referendum, if the people so decide to pass it, to call witnesses before it by compulsion, as many of them should, to answer questions about their conduct and the...
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: There was not, and I had that confirmed by the international affairs division. There was consultation-----
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: Yes, but it was for information sharing only.
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: Is the Deputy saying my information is incorrect?
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: In that case, we will deal with that. The international affairs division of my Department confirmed to me that no administrative arrangements were put in place for consultations with the party leaders. We will check that as a matter of veracity. My understanding is that these were for information purposes only.
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: Yes, but these were for information purposes only. In respect of these issues here, I am not going to get into an interminable wrangle with Deputy Martin or anybody else about wording. The Government will produce the draft Bills. I have no problem in consulting Deputy Martin, the other leaders, the Technical Group or anybody else about the issue that is at stake but I do not want to get...
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: Your question asks what administrative positions were put in place to assist that consultation.
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: I had to ask the questions from over there.
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: I have no problem about maintaining the separation of powers that exists and have no intention whatsoever of interfering in any way, good, bad or indifferent, with the independence of the Judiciary which, by and large, has served our country and democracy well. The Deputy's question, he was very exact about questions last week, was: To ask the Taoiseach if he has put in place or plans to...
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: -----other than me asking questions from the Opposition benches or Deputy Gilmore so doing as leader of the Labour Party.
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: Moreover, when we did go to the Department of the Taoiseach with Deputy Martin, not that we got very much information-----
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: No administrative facility was put in place other than to ask whether we were prepared to consult. I am prepared to consult with Deputy Martin and the other leaders-----
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: -----when the Bills have been drafted. Work is proceeding in the Department of Justice and Equality on the question of the referendum on judicial pay and in the Office of the Attorney General in respect of whistleblowers and the Abbeylara judgment. Moreover, the latter two questions are being asked deliberately of the people to give the Oireachtas the power to be accountable and to hold...
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: The Deputy could go back down that path too far.
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: He should not go down that road too far.
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: I understand where the Deputy is coming from. The nature of his question is on how the Government intends to proceed. It intends to draft the legislation that is required for the three referendums to be held in October and once that drafting has been completed, to consult with the Opposition leaders fully and completely about the Bills in question. This is how the Government intends to...
- Constitutional Amendments (19 Jul 2011)
Enda Kenny: The Deputy forgets to mention that for the first time in our history, this Government has appointed a Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with senior Cabinet rank. She is now dealing with the sensitive and very personal issue and I regard this as a signal as to how this Government views our young people and the part they have to play as they accept responsibility in the years ahead. The...