Results 21,701-21,720 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: A total of €85 million was realised from the disposal of six of those barracks. The proceeds of the sale of these four barracks will go towards investment in infrastructure for the Army. As the Deputy knows, the Government is anxious to maintain the strength of the Army at operational level. I can confirm to the Deputy that a travel expense allowance is payable for nine months to...

Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: The vast majority do not do that. For those who do not avail of the travel allowance, the Army supplies transport for its personnel.

Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: This is part of a whole series of reforms that the Government must undertake in order to rectify the fact that we are spending €18 billion more than we are taking in.

Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: There are some difficult decisions to be taken in the time ahead. The Deputy will decry all of them, but believe me, these decisions are made in the best interests of our country.

Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, on his activities as Minister of State with responsibility for housing, including making constructive propositions and taking difficult decisions. I can understand any Deputy's making a decision such as he made. The Cabinet must make decisions; that is our job. The mandate we were given is to sort out the problems of this country and that is...

Departmental Reviews (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: My Department is involved on an ongoing basis in the review and implementation of Government policies in a range of areas through Cabinet committees and other co-ordinating mechanisms. However, I have not commissioned any significant formal policy reviews to be carried out directly by my Department.

Departmental Reviews (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: That was outside the limit even of the sharp hearing of Deputy Martin. The last sentence was "However, I have not commissioned any significant formal policy reviews to be carried out directly by my Department."

Departmental Reviews (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: No. In fact, to make it even stronger and clearer I am producing a standardised approach to appointments. Even the early reforms have been a quantum leap from where we were. There was a situation here for several years whereby no information could be given to anyone because of secret deals signed off between the Government of the day and a number of Independents. One significant change is...

Departmental Reviews (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Martin raised three issues. He stated there has been no change. I have just pointed out that five of the appointments as chairperson made by the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, have appeared before Oireachtas committees to discuss their suitability and appointments. This is a fundamental major change from what applied before. I am aware that the Minister for Education and Skills is...

Departmental Reviews (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: They are personal to me.

Departmental Reviews (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: I have taken decisions on this matter and they have been spelt out by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. They relate to all new entrants, the age at which they can receive pensions, non-payment of severance payments and the capping of pensions. A range of measures in this regard have been taken already by the Government in respect of all new entrants and these will apply from...

Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 7, inclusive, together. The programme for Government states, "We will reduce the size of the Department of the Taoiseach, transforming it into a Cabinet Office that oversees the delivery of a new Programme for Government". Arising from this commitment, sections and posts in the Department which had been engaged in work that now comes within the...

Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Martin used to ask me if I was going to reduce the Department by one half.

Programmes for Government (15 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: The programme for Government stated it would be reduced and it has been reduced. There are now 179 whole time equivalent staff in the Department of the Taoiseach. I am willing to come before the House, as I have always done, before and after Heads of Government meetings and I am willing to answer questions in respect of meetings of that nature. The co-ordination of European affairs is...

Business of Dáil (10 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: I move that: Notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or the Order of the Dáil of this day, the Dáil shall sit later than 5.45 p.m. today and shall adjourn on the conclusion of oral questions. Topical Issues shall be considered on the conclusion of No. 12a, Tributes to President Mary McAleese; and oral questions shall be taken for 75 minutes on the conclusion of Topical Issues....

Tributes to President Mary McAleese (10 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: I wish to share time with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore.

Tributes to President Mary McAleese (10 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: As President McAleese takes her leave of Áras an Uachtaráin today, she can be happy that as she says goodbye to her home of the last 14 years, she travels out into a country so much better for her being its President. Over the years we became accustomed to her warmth, her compassion, her love of life and her approachability. The facility and fluency she achieved in humanising and...

Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: Bearing in mind the existing legislation, the building control legislation, what is needed here is an analysis of the quality of the standards and regulation that apply. Light regulation has not worked. I understand NAMA has made a provision for some temporary accommodation for those families who have been displaced because of the complete shambles the builder in question put in place. The...

Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: I am acutely aware of the difficulty that this causes. The Government appointed a group to take other proposals in respect of mortgages and the distress this is causing for people. Those hearings have been taking place.

Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Enda Kenny: We have to make a decision in respect of the personal insolvency Bill which is quite a complex one and that is a fundamental part of the entire mortgage issue.