Results 21,141-21,160 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

European Council Meetings (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: The central focus is on our people and on the ultimate challenge of this Government, which is to deal effectively with unemployment.

Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: It is proposed to take No. 1, Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad] - Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. and shall adjourn not later than 10.30 p.m.; and that Private Members' business, which shall be No. 43, motion re policies affecting rural areas, shall be taken at 8 p.m. and shall adjourn...

Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: Yes, I would be happy to answer questions after the debate tomorrow. If the Deputy wants extra time to discuss that and have a longer debate, I am quite amenable to that. This is a matter of consideration for every person in the country and I do not want to be constrained by a format that specifies four 15-minute speeches followed by 20 minutes of questions. If the Opposition looks for...

Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: Yes; I will extend the debate tomorrow if the Deputy wishes, and move tomorrow's business on to next week, because we are busy people.

Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: I am not messing.

Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: I am quite serious. If the clamour starts - I am giving the Deputies warning in advance - for a sitting next week, we will be happy to do that. Tomorrow we will extend the debate for as long as Deputies want. The Tánaiste and I will be happy to answer questions and participate fully.

Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: With regard to the Deputy's other question, the Minister for Education and Skills set out clearly in his response to the budget with regard to guidance counselling that what is involved is a transfer of responsibility to principals in secondary schools. I do not agree with the numbers the Deputy mentioned. I spoke to a guidance counsellor yesterday who was happy-----

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: The decisions taken by Government in drafting the budget are all unpalatable. As Deputy Martin is well aware, there were adjustments of €3.8 billion in the budget for 2012, comprising of €2.2 billion current spending and €1.6 billion in taxation. No matter what way one looks at it, in order to comply with conditions this country has signed up to, it is never an easy choice to decide...

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: However, we reversed the situation concerning the minimum wage by changing the universal social charge threshold from €4,004 to €10,036. This brought 330,000 people out of the universal social charge. In the case of carers and others who are vulnerable, individual circumstances vary from family to family. I come across many individual and personal cases. The fact of the matter is that...

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Martin understands well that the Government had to introduce a budget of this nature because of the circumstances in which the country finds itself.

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: The common denominator in every contribution made by the Deputy is that he calls on the Government to reverse the cuts. He said we should reverse the cuts he has just described, those introduced last week, the reduction in the allocation for the A5 to the North and the increase in VAT.

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: It is neither possible nor credible to do as he asks. His party did not put forward an alternative solution.

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: The Government did not cut carer's allowance simply because of the job carers do.

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Martin understands that every one of us meets carers who look after their loved ones in the family context. Everybody knows the pressure they are under, the commitment they give and the value they give to the State through the care, consideration-----

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: I thank Deputy McGrath for his intervention. Carers create a saving for the State through their love of kith and kin. This is why carer's allowance was not cut in the budget. I do not know the circumstances of the entire family to whom Deputy Martin refers.

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: I ask the Deputy to kindly send me the letter in his possession and I will have the individual circumstances of the family investigated.

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: As I do not know all the facts of the case to which the Deputy refers, I ask him to give me the letter. Asking me to reverse this cut because it is unfair or unjust is not the answer. The Government has to make choices, none of which is easy or palatable.

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: In so far as one can in the circumstances, one tries to protect those who are vulnerable, isolated and caught in a trap. That is why, for instance, we did not touch carers and the universal social charge was changed to reduce the pressure it placed on 330,000 people.

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: The entire focus of the Government will be on creating jobs and opportunities for people. I ask Deputy Martin to give me a copy of the letter in his possession and I will have the case assessed.

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2011)

Enda Kenny: I am glad Deputy Adams watched it.