Results 23,501-23,520 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

EU Summits (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: It is incorrect to say we are doing exactly what the previous Government did. We have inherited a situation whereby the sovereign is unable to borrow money. That is a fact. Our challenge and that of the Opposition is to get our country back to a point where it can borrow money on the bond markets and thus be in charge of its economic destiny. That is the challenge facing the entire...

EU Summits (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: Yes, I understand that. The American company involved expects to double its workforce here. A man on the site said to me on that day: "It's great to hear the sound of buckets rattling round this site again." That is the type of expression of confidence we must get back. The Government is focusing on those priorities in order to get us back to a point where we can borrow on the...

EU Summits (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: The decision taken by Government to have diplomatic engagement is paying dividends. In this regard, I note the report of Tony Connelly this morning. This requires that Ministers attend meetings and work outside formal meetings in rebuilding Ireland's reputation. I am sure Deputy Martin would have had something else to say had I come in here following the meeting on 11 March and said I...

EU Summits (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I have explained this previously. It is not a case of trying to circumvent anybody. The decision to devolve authority to the Finance Ministers was made deliberately. It was made because lending countries told me directly that they would only go to Parliament once. Therefore, we need to have accurate figures and know the truth of the scale of the requirement from Ireland arising from the...

Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together. Work is proceeding in my Department on the preparation of proposals for a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad and the setting up of a constitutional convention. When these proposals are ready, they will be considered by the Government. Once proposals for the setting up of a constitutional convention are approved by the Government, I...

Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: What I said was that when the constitutional convention criteria were set out, there would be discussions with the Opposition parties. The same will apply to the citizens' assembly. We will discuss with Deputies Micheál Martin and Gerry Adams and other leaders the range, scale and intent of what is involved.

Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: They have not taken place because the Bills have not yet been drafted. They will give rise to thorough and comprehensive consultations. The Government has decided to hold a referendum in respect of the Abbeylara judgment and the issue of whistleblowers because I do not want to preside over an Oireachtas with toothless committees. We all share a view on the need for accountability,...

Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: They do.

Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: To enable the referenda to be held, the Bills must be processed by a date in September. I hope they will be published as soon as possible and that there will be an opportunity to engage in a thorough discussion, a point on which I have been clear. When we come back in September, there will be changes to the structure of Dáil reform. There will be discussions about that either this week or...

Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: If not ownership, certainly participation. There will be consultation directly with the Deputy and other leaders when the structure is put in place. I would like this to happen quickly and I will see to it that it happens. I do not want to give the Deputy an exact date for this but he can take it that he will be invited to participate fully in those discussions and to debate them in the...

Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: Before I draft the final structure and terms of reference for the assembly and it becomes enshrined anywhere, party leaders will be consulted for their views on them. That will happen quickly.

National Partnership Agreement (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: My Department's action plan under the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 was submitted late last year to the Department of Finance and subsequently formed part of the overall Civil Service and State agency sector action plan. Specific actions in the action plan include a further reduction in staff numbers, reduced budgets, redeployment of staff, increased flexibility and better business...

National Partnership Agreement (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: The position is that the Government received a report in respect of the implementation of the agreement. The findings are that the agreement and all involved in it are measuring up but, clearly, as the Minister without Portfolio pointed out, there is a need for acceleration in the implementation of further elements of the agreement. As the Deputy will be aware, if the agreement is not...

Leaders' Questions (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I condemn the disturbances in Belfast both last night and the night before. This situation demands the Government's serious attention and I have pledged on its behalf that it will continue to work closely with the newly elected Assembly and Executive in Northern Ireland. I note the joint statements made by the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister in bringing a sense of reason and...

Leaders' Questions (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I thank the Deputy for his comments. The pursuit of the normalisation of relationships in Northern Ireland has always had cross-party support in this House. Unemployment and lack of activity are the cancer that eats away at the heart of the peace process. This requires constant vigilance in respect of fragile communities in which young men, in particular, have a perception that the peace...

Leaders' Questions (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: I do not share in the Deputy's scaremongering words.

Leaders' Questions (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: If Deputy Ó Caoláin will allow me finish, Deputy Adams, with his experience in Northern Ireland should know full well that coming as he does from Belfast the situation in Northern Ireland was actually dealt with by the creation of a special delivery unit to deal with waiting lists which were eliminated over a period of 15 to 18 months. The Minister for Health received government approval...

Leaders' Questions (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: Not every person who goes for treatment or to attend at facilities travels by ambulance. I met a woman recently who had breast cancer treatment. She had to travel by bus at 5 a.m.-----

Leaders' Questions (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: -----and she had to make a round trip of 180 km to Galway for a treatment lasting four minutes. In many cases there are clear inefficiencies in the way the service is being delivered. I confirm to the Deputy that no decision has been taken to withdraw transport facilities and these facilities will be maintained-----

Leaders' Questions (22 Jun 2011)

Enda Kenny: The letter states that the ambulance service budget has been expended. The reason this Minister for Health is in situ is to restructure the way our health services deliver treatment and standards of care for our people. This is why priorities have to be determined within that budget and every other budget. The Deputy referred to the ambulance budget being expended. It also involves the...