Results 19,961-19,980 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Order of Business (19 Dec 2012)

Enda Kenny: Two issues arise. The Government has considered the sale of timber from forestry lands as potentially a sale of a State asset. I refer to the timber rather than the land. The forestry Bill, which was due to come before the House in this session, will not be taken before the session ends. It will be taken early in the new session next year.

European Council Brussels: Statements (19 Dec 2012)

Enda Kenny: I am pleased to brief the House on the outcome of last week's European Council meeting in Brussels on 13 and 14 December. This was the final Council meeting before Ireland's Presidency begins in less than two weeks. The meeting focused on economic policy but also covered common security and defence, enlargement and foreign affairs. I am happy to report that progress was made on all issues,...

European Council Brussels: Statements (19 Dec 2012)

Enda Kenny: I raised it with the Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron.

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: I admire the courage of Fiona Doyle in doing what she did. This case, which involves the defilement of a child and the continuous rape of that child over a ten year period, has filled the nation with revulsion. I would like to believe that others who are or have been subjected to rape, incest or crimes of this horrific nature will not lose the courage to come forward and say their piece.

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: The position is that the sentence in the case in question has been referred to the Court of Criminal Appeal for priority assessment. The issue of mandatory sentencing for particular crimes has been raised in the House over the years. It is a matter for the Government to reflect on the matter in so far as introducing legislation is concerned. I accept the Ceann Comhairle's clarification of...

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: One of the statements made by this Government was the appointment of a senior Cabinet Minister dealing with children and youth affairs. I commend the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on the work that has been done to date in drawing all the elements of child care and related issues into a single Department, holding a referendum on children, bringing together the excellent work being...

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: I obviously read over the period the reports of the circumstances and impact on the Deputy's family in matters related to this. I can speak for everyone when I say that I admire the courage and bravery of Fiona Doyle in speaking out, but it is not just a case of the Oireachtas offering some sort of consolation or support. Sometimes, we lose sight of the really fundamental important issues...

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: I will certainly ensure that happens because it is a matter of considerable interest to everybody. I will put it this way - I was in a Garda station some time ago-----

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: -----and the sergeant showed me where a disturbance was taking place in a particular estate that was one of a continuous series of rows between a husband and a wife and where a family was involved. The end result was going to be the same as all the others, in that it would be patched up for a while before more or less erupting again. When one talks to people, who is to say what happens in...

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: No more than anybody else, we are interested in protecting, in so far as we can, lower and middle income families. That is why there was not an increase in income tax. That is also why the minimum wage was restored and, in so far as possible, such arrangements protected.

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: The increase in prescription charges will have an impact on the extent of prescribing that has been ongoing by GPs throughout the country. The trends are clear in that regard. I refer Deputy Halligan to the budget day announcement of the review of fees and allowances payable to health care professionals. They include general practitioners, pharmacists, dentists, ophthalmologists,...

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: As Deputy Halligan is aware, approximately 1.8 million medical cards currently exist. That is higher than has ever been the case in this country.

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: It is clear that people who are on lower income levels are eligible under certain conditions for medical cards. The Minister for Health has negotiated with drug companies to produce savings on drugs of-----

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: -----serious amounts in the region of €400 million in the coming years, with moneys coming through in 2013. The consultation process ended on 11 January. The submissions will now be reviewed by the Minister for Health and he will decide the level of fees and other changes to be made. The review is not confined to fees and allowances for those working in the public area. Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. My Department's strategy statement sets out the key objectives for my Department for the period 2011 to 2014. The focus of my Department is to ensure that Government policy is progressed across the whole of Government and it has one key programme which is to support the Taoiseach and the Government. The strategy statement is...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: I thank the Deputy for his support for the country in the context of the Government holding the Presidency of the European Union. Ireland will not have the opportunity to hold the Presidency again until 2026 or 2027, so there has been a focus from Europe on an effective Presidency by Ireland. The Government has prepared well for this. We have had a good start with the Commission, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: Go raibh maith ag an Teachta Adams. Glacaim lena dhea-ghuí maidir le hUachtaránacht na hEorpa a bheith ag Éirinn. Bíodh sé cinnte go ndéanfaimid ár ndícheall chun é sin a chomhlíonadh go hiomlán. I can send Deputy Adams the details of the progress being made on the stimulus package announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: I agree with Deputy Boyd Barrett on one thing, that jobs should be the priority. As he said himself on four occasions, it is about jobs, jobs, jobs and jobs. We will not have a country we can be proud of and face with courage into the future unless we deal with our problems here. They are our public finances, the structures of the way a number of Departments have operated in the past, and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: The public sector has had a major exit in reducing numbers, its cost and its scale. Potential exists now for doing business in a different way, with technology and communications. It is the case - Deputy Boyd Barrett is right - that the responsibility of Government is to create that environment where jobs and investment can take place. Deputy Ó Fearghaíl referred to this also....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: Freedom of information is being handled by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin. He met the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform to discuss this recently and he is awaiting the response of and proposals from the committee. Following consideration of the views and recommendations of the committee and the drafting of the Bill by the Office of the...