Results 22,041-22,060 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Leaders' Questions (25 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: It will be another ten years before Greece emerges from this difficulty. Deputy Adams asks what about Ireland. Every international commentator, except Deputy Adams, is now pointing out that the deal which was signed and which has already been renegotiated on three of four occasions by the Government is making serious headway.

Leaders' Questions (25 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: I would like to think there is a real understanding of just how serious this issue is, from a European point of view.

Leaders' Questions (25 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: As was stated at last week's meeting in very trenchant terms, people are absolutely focused on the decisions that must be made.

Leaders' Questions (25 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: First, can we let Greece default? Second, is €109 billion enough? Third, how will we leverage the EFSF to provide a firewall that will allow for the purchase of bonds and not cause catastrophe for any country? The focus of the eurozone may be on the bigger potential of Spain and Italy. However, as a country that is meeting the challenges of the memorandum of understanding and of our...

Leaders' Questions (25 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: I assure Deputy Adams that the discussions and negotiations I am conducting on behalf of the Government, the Minister for Finance is conducting at ECOFIN-----

Leaders' Questions (25 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: -----and the Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs at the General Affairs Council are focused on attempting to get down the overall burden of debt on our people. We have achieved €10 billion by the reduction of the interest rate and we are exploring a number of options to get it down further. I am sure Deputy Adams welcomes that.

Leaders' Questions (25 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: I spoke to all of the personalities and leaders mentioned by Deputy Ross. For the first time in my attendance at these meetings there was a genuine focus on the fundamentals of what needs to be done. I too have heard the reports of the conversations between President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel with Prime Minister Berlusconi. However, I do not know the details in that regard. I am aware...

Leaders' Questions (25 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: To be honest, a number of prime ministers or leaders may not have been as sufficiently aware of the situation in other countries as they now are. At the conclusion of that meeting there was an understanding of how serious this is in the European context. The Deputy will have heard the comments of President Sarkozy about Ireland echoed by others. While we have done well, there remains a...

Leaders' Questions (25 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: France and Germany never said at the meeting that country X or Y should now impose austerity measures. There was general discussion and agreement on the need for fiscal discipline and control over countries' spending. Ireland is in the difficult situation it is in because of such lack of control. It is not the case that Chancellor Merkel or President Sarkozy stated what a particular...

Ministerial Staff (25 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions No. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. There are five special advisers in my Department, four of whom are special advisers to me and one of whom is special adviser to the Government Chief Whip. I do not have a dedicated adviser-consultant on health in my Department. A specialist adviser on health was appointed to the Minister for Health and Children of the previous...

Ministerial Staff (25 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy's question was specific. He asked if I had any advisers or consultants on health within my Department and if I would make a statement on the matter. I have made a statement on the matter. I have no specific special advisers or consultants in my Department dealing with health. I chair the Cabinet sub-committee on health, which is due to meet again shortly. It will meet every...

Ministerial Staff (25 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: I could not but agree with the statement that overcrowding in hospital wards is not a good situation.

Ministerial Staff (25 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: As I said, I do not agree it is a good situation, and nobody would. The question was if we are in a position to deliver the best quality health service for the patients who get into the system with the facilities for those who provide that attention. This needs to be done in a streamlined manner so that we do not have this backup and the situation we have had over the years where there are...

Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: I note from the Deputy's biblical remarks that he has not entirely forgotten about the seminary. I think it was Saul who was on the road to Damascus when he saw the light.

Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Higgins has asked me to take a leap of imagination. I have no difficulty in taking the odd leap of imagination, but I have no intention of taking a leap of madness as he suggests. This is not a matter to be treated lightly. The Keane report identifies 50,000 people who are in serious difficulties with their mortgages. I understand that 70,000 people have made arrangements with...

Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: I am not aware of the outcome or the detail of those discussions.

Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: Every Deputy has met people who are stressed and have mortgage concerns. Some of the people in question have been left bereft as a result of a death or an accident that took place without arrangements being made for such an eventuality. Other people are in difficulty with their businesses and are really strapped because of the conditions they entered into. We want to try to help people who...

Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: I am not sure if Deputy Higgins understands the reality of this country's loss of economic sovereignty. Does he understand who pays gardaí, nurses, teachers and public servants?

Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: Does he know who fills the ATM machines? If he does not want to recognise what that actually means, he has really taken a leap beyond madness into complete unreality.

Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2011)

Enda Kenny: For the first time in the history of this State, our economic sovereignty is not under our direct control. If we want to make major or minor changes, in most cases we have to renegotiate a memorandum of understanding that was signed off some time ago.