Results 15,081-15,100 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny
- Departmental Reviews (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: No. In fact, to make it even stronger and clearer I am producing a standardised approach to appointments. Even the early reforms have been a quantum leap from where we were. There was a situation here for several years whereby no information could be given to anyone because of secret deals signed off between the Government of the day and a number of Independents. One significant change is...
- Departmental Reviews (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: Deputy Martin raised three issues. He stated there has been no change. I have just pointed out that five of the appointments as chairperson made by the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, have appeared before Oireachtas committees to discuss their suitability and appointments. This is a fundamental major change from what applied before. I am aware that the Minister for Education and Skills is...
- Departmental Reviews (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: They are personal to me.
- Departmental Reviews (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: I have taken decisions on this matter and they have been spelt out by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. They relate to all new entrants, the age at which they can receive pensions, non-payment of severance payments and the capping of pensions. A range of measures in this regard have been taken already by the Government in respect of all new entrants and these will apply from...
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 7, inclusive, together. The programme for Government states, "We will reduce the size of the Department of the Taoiseach, transforming it into a Cabinet Office that oversees the delivery of a new Programme for Government". Arising from this commitment, sections and posts in the Department which had been engaged in work that now comes within the...
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: Deputy Martin used to ask me if I was going to reduce the Department by one half.
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: The programme for Government stated it would be reduced and it has been reduced. There are now 179 whole time equivalent staff in the Department of the Taoiseach. I am willing to come before the House, as I have always done, before and after Heads of Government meetings and I am willing to answer questions in respect of meetings of that nature. The co-ordination of European affairs is...
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: Deputy Adams seems to have missed the point that we have renegotiated substantial elements of the Memorandum of Understanding signed off with the troika. The reduction in PRSI and VAT in the hospitality sector, the changes and restructuring made in respect of the banks and the renegotiation, with European consent, of interest rates have brought about a saving of â¬10 billion for the Irish...
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: I do not agree with the Deputy. We have not done the same things. We live in the land of reality. One cannot move into Government and change the entire country overnight. In times past a blank cheque was signed off to put the full extent of the bank debt onto the sovereign debt, which the citizens of this country have to pay for. Young people do not have the job opportunities I would...
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: I have a fundamental difference of opinion with the Deputy. The Government of which he was part did sign a blank cheque. Minister after Minister came in here during the period in question and said the crisis would cost â¬6 billion, â¬7 billion, â¬14 billion or â¬20 billion. The fact of the matter is that the previous Government signed a blank cheque and crucified every taxpayer for...
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: -----the debt.
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: Deputy Martin denies that his Government wrote a blank cheque, but that is what it did, because it did not know the scale of the situation and the outcome. That has crucified everybody in the country.
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: When I seek information on what exactly happened in that regard, I cannot find it.
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: No, I cannot find it. The decision was taken in the middle of the night.
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: Deputy Martin's colleague, Deputy Willie O'Dea, said in the Sunday Independent the following Sunday that he was responsible for the idea and it was a brilliant one.
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: The evidence given by the Government of which Deputy Martin was a member was that there was a finite limit on this, but there was not. His Government signed a blank cheque. We reviewed and published the capital programme only last week. Some â¬17 billion will go into capital programmes in the coming years. Against all of the recessionary trends we have still managed to provide clarity in...
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: The Deputy is becoming expert at listening to his own words. What I said was that we need to change the structure under which services are delivered in our health system, because it is not working as it should. We must reduce the overall cost of the delivery of the public sector. That is why the programme for Government clearly sets out a reduction in personnel of up to 25,000 for the...
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: I am glad that the public sector itself recognises what needs to be done and is working in that regard. Any reductions in the overall cost and changes in the structure of the delivery of health services must be focused on the quality of service for the patient and the quality and capacity of front line services. I do not know whether the Deputy wants to understand that but that is what involved.
- Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: The Deputy should not be baffled. I will be happy to give him further information.
- Proposed Legislation (15 Nov 2011)
Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. The Deputies will be aware that Cabinet confidentiality is provided for in the Constitution. Any consideration of legislation would have to take this into account.