Results 17,941-17,960 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: This is good news for people in the sense that those who spoke about the European Union and hope for people got a response from the European Council meeting last week. It is not a case of anyone looking for credit. I give great credit to the Irish people for their decision on the referendum, which was accepted and understood by all of the leaders of the 27 member states, not just the 17...

Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: It is wonderful to observe the commentators who comment and the speculation that goes on. Clearly, those who might have had a different view a number of weeks and months ago now reflect because of the decision made by the European Council. I note that Mr. Colm McCarthy said that this is not a diplomatic win, it is a financial win. I agree with him on that. I accept there is a different...

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. My Department received a total of 120 freedom of information requests in the year from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012. A total of 80 requests were granted or part-granted. In 12 cases the Department held no records. Six requests were refused and seven were withdrawn. A total of 15 requests are currently being processed. A total of 76...

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: I do not know the reason for the refusal of the six requests, but I do not have any hand, act or part in dealing with freedom of information requests. I will ask the section that deals with this issue - people do it in addition to their normal work - if there was a specific reason the six requests were not granted. I do not know what they were about or whether personal information or...

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: No. The vast majority of freedom of information requests are answered on time. The Deputy mentioned Deputy Sean Fleming. I am aware of his Private Members' Bill which proposes to extend the remit of the Freedom of Information Act to include a number of other agencies. Clearly, there are some considerations in that regard. The Government has reflected on the issue and the Minister for...

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: We need to have a discussion about this matter in the House when the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform brings forward his memo on re-examining the Freedom of Information Act in general.

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: For instance, individual letters are coming in with ten, 15 or 20 requests, which are treated as one request. The impact of a letter with an individual request could be very significant in terms of the time taken to address it. I would like to think that, in general, we give every Member of the House as much relevant information as is appropriate.

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: I do not want the Deputy to believe there is a "they will not ask it under freedom of information legislation" mindset. If the request is reasonable and the information is available - if it is not sensitive to the State or a person and can be given - the response should be reasonable and appropriate.

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy mentioned the savings that could be made. We will examine that matter in the context of what the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is doing in respect of the Freedom of Information Act in general.

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: I used to ask these questions when in opposition. As I told Deputy Micheál Martin, there will be a Private Members' Bill before the House on Friday, to which the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will respond. He has done a great deal of work on the Freedom of Information Act generally and will outline his response in some detail. Most of the complaints received in respect of the...

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: I speak from this position as Taoiseach and Head of Government and my personal views are completely irrelevant. I speak from here about Cabinet responsibility and decisions, and in that sense it is my duty to let the Deputy know that the line Minister has done a great deal of work on this and will respond to the Private Members' Bill on Friday. It is not a case of an individual Minister...

Departmental Bodies (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: Having regard to the confidential nature of the work of the National Security Committee, it would not be appropriate to disclose information about the dates of individual meetings or any of its proceedings. The committee is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government and comprises representatives at the highest level of the Departments of Justice and Equality, Defence and Foreign...

Departmental Bodies (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: The matter has not been discussed at Government level but the Secretary General to the Government and the members of the committee keep in close liaison on a regular basis. The committee meets as often as necessary. With regard to dissident activity, it is fair to say the evidence of what has been happening over a period leads to an understanding that there must be heightened awareness and...

Consultancy Contracts (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together. Expenditure on consultancy by my Department has greatly reduced in recent years. Since 2008 there has been an 88% reduction on consultancy spend, and consultants are only engaged when necessary, with all guidelines in engagement of consultants adhered to. In 2011 my Department engaged QTS Consulting to carry out a risk assessment and update...

Consultancy Contracts (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: The number of consultants employed by the Department of the Taoiseach is kept to a minimum and when it happens, the process is strictly in accordance with guidelines and proper regulations. QTS Consulting was engaged in 2010 following a competitive tender to carry out a risk assessment and review of the Department's health and safety statement, which is a requirement for all Departments....

Consultancy Contracts (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: I imagine the Minister would be happy to respond in detail.

Consultancy Contracts (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: QTS carried out a risk assessment and updated the Department's health and safety statement at a cost of €1,271.

Consultancy Contracts (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: Yes, €1,271.

Consultancy Contracts (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: That is correct.

Consultancy Contracts (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: The total spend by the Department to date in 2012 on consultancy is €21,074.