Results 24,741-24,760 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Legislative Programme (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: The programme for Government outlines the Government's legislative priorities for the 31st Dáil. Ministers have begun the task of developing legislative proposals to give effect to the commitments in the programme. The Government will shortly approve a programme outlining its legislative priorities between now and the end of the summer session and this will be published. The Government...

Legislative Programme (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: I told the Deputy yesterday that I would give consideration to the inclusion of someone from Northern Ireland in the constitutional convention. As he knows, the convention will not be the final determinant of what will actually happen. It will be a convention at which citizens and others will give their views on a range of issues which I outlined to the House yesterday. Arising from any...

Legislative Programme (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: When I met the children's advocacy groups, they made the point that we should not have to go back and start the process all over again from scratch, that we should instead start from the point that the all-party Oireachtas committee had produced an agreed wording. With that wording and the Attorney General's views on a changed wording, it should be possible to get agreement on a formula of...

Legislative Programme (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: Yes.

Legislative Programme (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: As the Deputy knows, these are only recommendations.

Legislative Programme (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy will recall that it was de Valera who abolished the Seanad without reference to anybody. At least we will have a full consultation process and ask the people. I am not watering it down; I just want to get the matter right. In order to ask the people, we must first produce a Bill and bring it before the House.

Legislative Programme (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: In addition, there are constitutional implications. We want to get the matter right and are working on this. My views on the Presidency and Presidential elections are well known. My view is that the term of office should be shortened and that in the future Presidential elections should be held on the same date as fixed-term European and local elections which occur at five year intervals,...

Legislative Programme (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: The issue of children's rights is real and sensitive and there are arguments on both sides. The Government has decided to hold a referendum on children's rights. The newly appointed Attorney General will consider the decision of her predecessor and advise the Government on the wording. The children's rights groups I met had very serious views and were disappointed about the changed wording...

Legislative Programme (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: Not only did de Valera abolish the Seanad he attempted to do so in respect of PR. Nothing is more substantive than that, as the Deputy is well aware from history writings.

Legislative Programme (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: I reiterate I have not fixed the terms of reference or composition of the convention. Other locations, for example, British Columbia, have done this from a jury list system with a representative group emerging from all the different strands. What is done is allowing citizens to have a direct input into the way their country is run, with recommendations being offered which a government then...

Departmental Functions (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together. A key condition of a successful turn-around strategy for the country is a more joined-up strategic centre at the heart of government. My Department will play a key role at the centre of Government with a more explicit focus on its role as a Cabinet office and with particular oversight of the programme for Government to ensure that the...

Departmental Functions (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: Yes. An assistant secretary and a small number of staff in the Department of the Taoiseach who had been dealing with public service reform will move to the new Department of Public Expenditure and Public Service Reform. I consider one of the important roles of the Office of the Taoiseach is to be able to ensure that the priority of the Government is achieved and this will involve...

Departmental Functions (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Martin may not realise it but there is a different Government in office.

Departmental Functions (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: One important point is our realisation this is not a Government of independent Departments. It is a Government that will focus on co-ordination and an effective decision making process.

Departmental Functions (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: I have not assumed, or tried to assume unto myself, executive authority for every decision. It is an honour and a privilege to appoint Ministers to Cabinet and to accept their responsibility. However, that responsibility is not individual or locked into a tunnel, a rut or a silo. It is part of joined up Government thinking to implement the programme for Government in the interests of the...

Departmental Functions (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: It is very different.

Departmental Functions (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: The programme for Government indicates that the size of the Department of the Taoiseach will be reduced. As I stated, a number of staff will transfer to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. There are 20 people working in that area, and that is in addition to the previously planned reductions in the staffing of the Department in any event. The Government made a decision at its...

Order of Business (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: The Order of Business is No. a3 - motion re restoration of Bills to the Order Paper; No. 5 - statements on the response to the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan; and subject to the agreement of No. a3, the Road Traffic Bill 2011 - Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that No. a3 shall be decided without debate and that the following...

Order of Business (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: We are discussing the restoration of Bills to the Order Paper. I am not sure how many times I have to say this for the Deputy. I have already made some proposals of a serious nature in the matter he raises. I have asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to refer the report of the Moriarty tribunal to the Director of Public Prosecutions and Garda Commissioner,...

Leaders' Questions (23 Mar 2011)

Enda Kenny: I noted Deputy Martin's opening comment. This is a report to the Clerk of the Dáil for the Houses of the Oireachtas. I have read the key points of the report. It is a serious report and makes particular recommendations. In consideration of those key points I have asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to refer the report to the Director of Public...