Results 16,061-16,080 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: The technical work that is underway will deal with the scale of that burden on the Irish taxpayer. That work is now being initiated by the troika and when its paper is produced, it will have that status. We will continue to work with our colleagues because if we are to benefit from that, we will need support from all of them.

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: That was a long, rambling discourse which I thought was more of an attempt at a left hook than a pat on the head.

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: In any event, the position about the process of government is very clear and it is one I have outlined for the Deputy before. The text was agreed last night by the Heads of Government and has been formally sent from the Cabinet to the Attorney General. The Cabinet will await the advice of the Attorney General and, once received, I will so inform the Dáil. The Government will then act on...

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy said the Irish people are so stupid or used some other convoluted phrase.

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: As Deputy Higgins is well aware from his long experience, when people go to vote they decide from their own perspective what it is they are voting about, be it for candidates or particular questions they may be asked.

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: In any event, as I have already indicated, if it is necessary to change the Constitution to ratify the treaty, the Government will accept the formal legal advice of the Attorney General.

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: I have taken this process very clearly and step by step. I am sure Deputy Higgins, from his socialist perspective, wants to see circumstances in which people in his constituency can contribute to the good of their locality, economy and country. Deputy McGrath may think it is very funny but people want to make a contribution. No Government will be in a position to do its job unless we have...

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Higgins talks about cynical propaganda. One of the central features of this informal Council meeting was that jobs and growth, the Single Market and small and medium-sized enterprises were the first issues discussed by the Council and will continue to be on the agenda of every Council meeting from now on.

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: As the Deputy is aware, unemployment among young people is above average in eight or nine European Union member states, including in this country. The Commission's response, taken with the agreement of the meeting, is that a specific action plan will put in place for each such country before the end of April.

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Higgins is aware that 23 million people are unemployed in the European Union and there are 23 million small and medium-sized enterprises in the same geographical area. The Union will not develop-----

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: -----to the point where we would like it to be unless decisiveness and some element of fiscal control is shown. There are countries where between €10 billion and €12 billion which has been allocated by the taxpayers of Europe have not yet been drawn down because they have not produced projects on which this money could be spent. Yesterday's Council meeting considered how elements of...

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: As I indicated, the issue will be a central feature of every Council agenda from now on. It is not the case that we have a treaty on austerity. This is a political agreement that countries and their governments will run their affairs properly and will have a programme to see that they achieve proper financial control of their affairs and get their houses in order. Every economy in the...

Social Partnership (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. As I stated in previous replies, most recently in November 2011, my Government very much values dialogue with key representatives of civil society. The Government recognises the contribution that social dialogue can make to maximising common understanding across all sectors of society as we respond to the many challenges facing...

Social Partnership (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy might get a straight answer.

Social Partnership (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: Some 32 Vita Cortex workers have been involved in a sit-in in Cork since 16 December which arose from a dispute with their employer over redundancy payments, as Deputy Adams pointed out. The workers seek severance payments of 2.9 weeks pay per year of service, inclusive of statutory redundancy, in line with previous redundancy deals in that company. In the interest of achieving a resolution...

Social Partnership (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: As I said, I intend to continue to meet the social partners as appropriate and I made that clear to them. Together with the Tánaiste, I hope to have full twice yearly meetings with them. Clearly, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is concerned about these matters. I repeat that the well proven mechanisms of the State are available where unfortunately disputes arise, as they...

Social Partnership (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: I am well aware of the nature of disputes and how sensitive and serious they can become. Far from using the cliché of "well tried mechanisms", the Labour Relations Commission has been an outstanding success over the years. On occasion, it has spent many hours of intensive discussion trying to sort out disputes between employees and employers. A better way has not been found - except...

Social Partnership (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy has raised an important point about contact between the social partners and the Government. While I said that I have no intention of returning to the formal process that existed before, in the meetings we have had with the social partners we have made it perfectly clear that the line is always open, either on an individual ministerial basis or directly to the Government. I have...

Social Partnership (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Boyd Barrett has raised three cases, the workers being subject to emergency tax because KPMG did not send out wages, the Jane Norman workers who have not been paid, and the workers in the shoe shop who have not been paid. I do not have all the details of these cases. Workers have rights and it is important that these rights are exercised and fulfilled in accordance with the law....

Social Partnership (31 Jan 2012)

Enda Kenny: Workers are entitled to receive their legitimate wages and if Deputies Higgins and Boyd Barrett give me the details of these cases after the Order of Business, I will be happy to contact the firm involved. People expect to have their wages paid and I do not have the detail of what is blocking this.