Results 17,221-17,240 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Educational Projects (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The modern languages in primary schools initiative had been a pilot scheme involving approximately 550 schools and had operated since 1998. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment's recommendation that for the present modern languages not be part of the primary school curriculum as an additional and separate subject was...

Educational Projects (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: Modern languages are of enormous importance as we move on in a global world. I hear people commenting on the necessity to learn new languages such as Chinese, Russian, Portuguese and Arabic because of the changing nature of the global economies. This recommendation was made by the national council dealing with the curriculum. They recommended that, for the present, modern languages should...

Educational Projects (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: I am a major supporter of modern languages. The Deputy is correct that some organisations would say young people who qualify in three languages or more at university deserve special treatment in the sense there will always be opportunities for them. When I meet representatives of multinationals, especially where call offices are involved and some of which are seeking to employ groups of 300...

Educational Projects (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: The reason Deputy Crowe's questions came to me is they included a reference to the Blue Star programme. That programme is not meant to be a replacement for the pilot initiative for language learning. It is run by the Department of the Taoiseach, with very small funding I should say, with the aim of increasing awareness in schools of diversity and of what the European Union is, what it...

Educational Projects (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: Most schools will continue with this because of their capitation payments.

Educational Projects (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: While the scheme was a worthwhile investment, there was a recommendation from the NCCA that it be discontinued for the present.

Educational Projects (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: An allocation of €2.5 million has gone into the numeracy strategy programme, which is brought to my attention by parents on a regular basis where children have difficulties. We had this before with resource teachers for children with special needs, where challenges might arise for children in any location around the country.

Official Engagements (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 38, inclusive, together. I travelled to Berlin on Thursday, 23 February, for an informal working dinner with Chancellor Merkel. Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis of Latvia and Prime Minister Petr Necas of the Czech Republic also attended the dinner. Discussions focused on the future of Europe; how we could move beyond the current crisis; and how we...

Official Engagements (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: I met the President of the European Central Bank, Mr. Draghi, upon his appointment and after Mr. Trichet had vacated the position. I did not have a formal meeting with him. The Minister for Finance travelled to Frankfurt to meet Mr. Draghi and has met him on a number of occasions since his appointment. A briefing document in respect of the promissory note was circulated by the European...

Official Engagements (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: With regard to the Greek private sector initiative, PSI, it was made perfectly clear by the European Council that this applied to Greece only. It is not a case of looking for write-downs here but one of looking for a re-engineering of the promissory note system to bring about a longer repayment period and lower interest rates which will make it easier for Ireland to deal with its deficit and...

Official Engagements (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Adams found it "bizarre" that I should discuss growth in jobs and investment here with Deputy Martin.

Official Engagements (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: I assume the Deputy and his constituency are the beneficiaries of the line of investment we speak about here, which is important for jobs. It goes directly to Dundalk in the case of PayPal recruiting for 1,000 jobs. I assume the Deputy does not find that bizarre.

Official Engagements (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: I assume that when the Deputy speaks to the young people who will be employed in Paypal in their own town and country, he does not find it bizarre. That is what we are at with the likes of Apple, Mylan, Allergan, PayPal or any of the other companies. The Minister responsible for jobs is in the United States now speaking to representatives of 20 companies about continued investment here and...

Official Engagements (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: If the Deputy finds this bizarre and in some way incongruous that people outside our country should look at what we do and offer before investing not just in Ireland but in the Deputy's location in Dundalk, it speaks to what he is at here. The Deputy mentioned the promissory note that was dealt with by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and...

Official Engagements (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: He would have loved to have been on the steps of the Four Courts with lawyers brandishing sheaves of paper about the inability of the Government to make any progress. The Minister for Finance, on behalf of the Government, will continue the discussions about the remainder of the promissory notes involved. I agree that the legacy of people unemployed in this country is much too high. The live...

Official Engagements (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: That is why the Government will make no bones about continuing to promote an agenda of being open for business and opening the doors of opportunity for business. We will prove it. As I have said to people on many occasions, if they have a problem in their business, we will try to help them and we will open those doors. We have put in place the structures for this and will continue to do...

Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: It is proposed to take No. a11, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Sustainable Energy Act 2002 (Section 8(2)) (Conferral of Additional Functions – Renewable Energy) Order 2012, to be referred to joint committee, and No. 1, Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Bill 2012 [Seanad] - Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing...

Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: When Deputy Michéal Martin referred to pulling the wool over people's eyes, I thought he was talking about the balaclava effect.

Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: A policy review is ongoing of climate change. The Minister had a difference of opinion on targets which had been set and that might not be achievable. It will probably be late this year or early next year before the climate change Bill is brought to the House. The political funding Bill is on Second Stage and awaits resumption of the debate. I expect that if the Deputy's party Whip raises...

Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Enda Kenny: It is an important issue. I walked the area some time ago with the relatives. As the House knows, money has been set aside in the Office of Public Works for a commemorative process. The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, is chairing the committee dealing with the issue, in which he has a particular interest. To be honest, there are quite a number of...