Results 16,641-16,660 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Order of Business (28 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: What was the last question?

Order of Business (28 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: It is due in this session. A great deal of work has been done on it. I expect the Deputy will see it in a matter of weeks.

Written Answers — Official Transport: Official Transport (28 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: I am informed that the Office of the Attorney General paid no costs in relation to mileage or car related expenses in respect of the use of the Attorney General's car during the period 1 June 2011 to 31 December 2011. Payments to the civilian drivers for that period were €43,464.40 in salaries and €27.42 in subsistence. No overtime or travel expenses were incurred.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (28 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: Three members of staff will have retired from my Department before 29 February this year. The estimated cost of lump sum severance payments and the annual cost of pensions for these members of staff will amount to €275,390. The estimated loss of pension levy and superannuation will amount to €15,859.

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (28 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: My Department received 98 Freedom of Information requests in 2011. Search and retrieval fees were sought in respect of eleven requests, the highest being €282.99. No requests were withdrawn as a result of a search and retrieval fee being sought.

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (28 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 116 together. I have been supplied with a Garda car under the Ministerial transport scheme and do not use a private car for official purposes. There has been no cost incurred by my Department on Ministerial transport in respect of the Government Chief Whip and the Minister of State for European Affairs from 1 June 2011 to date. All salary costs in...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (28 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: Three members of staff in my Department are retiring in February 2012, comprising one Principal Officer, one Executive Officer who work-shares and one Head Services Officer. All of the officers concerned have reached the minimum age to avail of early retirement. The staffing needs of the Department are kept under ongoing review in order to ensure that it meets its objectives. Sanction has...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: The following table details the amount spent by my Department on entertainment expenses on behalf of the Government Chief Whip, Minister of State for European Affairs and myself from March to December 2011, and in respect of the full calendar year for Senior Civil Servants assigned to my Department. The majority of the expenditure was in respect of visiting international delegations. All...

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (28 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: Two Assistant Secretary vacancies in my Department were advertised in national newspapers by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) in the last 12 months. The cost of the advertisements were borne by the PAS. The PAS ran an extensive search process in both the public and private sectors in respect of each position. The appointments were made by the Top Level Appointments Committee, which...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (28 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: Members of the National Economic and Social Council are not paid fees in respect of their membership of the Council. Members of the National Statistics Board have not volunteered to waive their fees and expenses. These are the only Boards to which I make appointments.

Leaders' Questions (29 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: It is not possible to predict accurately the income that will arise over a 12 month period on the basis of several weeks. Deputy Martin is aware that the VAT increase was part of the memorandum of understanding originally drawn up by his Government. This Government brought forward the increase over two years to one year. This gives certainty in that there will be no further increase in...

Leaders' Questions (29 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: Let me be very clear. In my own town I see retail outlets closed down and jobs lost and I recognise that is happening in every town in the country. I recognise that many people in retail outlets have not taken an income or salary from their premises for some time because they are just hanging on. It is all about confidence. The VAT decision made by the Government was to bring forward the...

Leaders' Questions (29 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: People will use retail facilities where they see real value for what they have to spend and that is the consumer's choice. This is how things operate in every town in the country. The Deputy asked if we were bringing forward any stimulus. What we are doing is trying to provide some measure of confidence for people in our indigenous economy

Leaders' Questions (29 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: In some locations some sectors are doing very well, but others are challenged. With the range of stores in particular sectors, competition becomes intense. We are well aware of the challenges faced by the retail sector. In so far as the Government is concerned, what we need to do is to continue to create a situation where banks can start to lend and provide credit for businesses, including...

Leaders' Questions (29 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy should take this up with the Minister for Finance directly. The various sections of major groups like the Blackstone Group are legally separated. What we are doing is getting the best advice in the interest of the taxpayer. The Deputy could find it more useful to raise this as a Topical Issue with the Minister for Finance, who would have far more detail on the issue than I have...

Leaders' Questions (29 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: I notice the Deputy's interest in loans. I would think Deputy Ó Snodaigh and Deputy Adams might go to the Northern Bank and get a loan for the old toner cartridges.

Leaders' Questions (29 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: Unfortunately, it seems as if some Sinn Féin members cannot get away from cartridges, with unfortunate results. I suggest Deputy Adams should put down a question to the Minister for Finance asking him about the fee paid to the Blackstone Group. I assure the Deputy that the highest ethical standards will be employed in this regard, because this Government does not do business in the way it...

Leaders' Questions (29 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: I do not accept that the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, is a liar and it is beneath Deputy Higgins to claim it.

Leaders' Questions (29 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: I do, a Cheann Comhairle.

Leaders' Questions (29 Feb 2012)

Enda Kenny: I do not accept Deputy Higgins's assertion that the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, is a liar.