Results 2,661-2,680 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: These are the challenges of the outstanding success of the Government in reducing unemployment and growing the economy. They have to be met.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: I was glad to see the Castleisland bypass put in place a couple of years ago. The Deputy will be glad to know that the road from Ballyvourney through Macroom to Cork is already on the major programme for development over the coming years. I agree that it is right and proper that Killarney be included. I hope we do win the joint bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Killarney is an...

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy went over time by approximately one minute. I know that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is watching these proceedings and taking careful note of the points he made. If ever there was an example of the inadequacy, as referred to at European Council meetings, of people not listening, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae has demonstrated today that he is listening. Perhaps the...

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: To be straight with Deputy Pringle on this issue, I cannot commit to a date because I will need Deputies' help. When the equality (miscellaneous provisions) Bill comes before the House, we will have to deal with a question that has been outstanding for a very long time, namely, the convention's requirement in respect of reasonable accommodation and deprivation of liberty. As the Deputy is...

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Pringle is correct to raise this matter. We have referred to the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the House on a number of occasions. I am sorry that Mr. Larkin did not receive a comprehensive response. That is probably due to the fact that a number of pieces of legislation have to go through yet. We take our international obligations...

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: The answer to the Deputy's last question is that the company can make the drug available to those persons who might benefit from it if it so wishes. The drug is not available in the Irish public health system because of the excessive charge being levied by Vertex. I accept that transparency and collaborative negotiations are necessary. Why does Deputy Adams think that the Minister,...

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: Action is already being taken because the drug is not available in the public health systems in Australia, Canada, England and Scotland.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: It is true that Ireland has the highest incidence of cystic fibrosis of many countries, if not in the world, but there are those who suffer from cystic fibrosis in other countries also and the drug is not available in their public health systems either. The Minister for Health has written to their Ministers seeking joint co-operation to talk sense to the company. It is not I who says Vertex...

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: I do not agree with the way the Deputy has done down the negotiating skills and clinical skills of Professor Michael Barry.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: He has pointed out that the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, NCPE, which undertook an assessment of Orkambi, noted from a clinical point of view that the drug was not considered cost-effective in terms of quality of life for the people involved at almost €160,000 per patient per year, as submitted by Vertex. The NCPE estimated the cost-effective price at €30,000. There...

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: I did not hear the company say it had come way down.

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: I did not hear it say that. If the company is prepared to come a way down from €160,000 per year per patient, let us see what it is talking about. The NCPE estimates the cost-effective price at €30,000 per patient, the NCPE will be flexible with realism. However, I very strongly believe in what Professor Barry has pointed out, that the price estimated by the company is...

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: This is obviously a very sensitive and personal issue for those people who have to meet the challenge of cystic fibrosis. Vertex is ripping off the taxpayer and I do not agree that there have not been intensive discussions. I do not agree that there has been an attempt to diminish the impact on quality of life which Orkambi can bring for those patients aged 12 and over who would benefit...

Leaders' Questions (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: That is not true.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ministerial Advisers (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: I have three Special Advisers, one of whom is my Chief of Staff, who assist me, as appropriate, by providing advice; monitoring, facilitating and securing the achievement of Government objectives; and performing such other functions as may be directed by me. The Public Service Management Act 1997 provides for the appointment of Special Advisors to Government Ministers. I understand that...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: State Investments (7 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: My Department or the agency under my remit the National Economic and Social Development Office, does not have any investments either directly or indirectly through pension or other investment funds, in tobacco companies.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (6 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: I had a very good meeting with the First Minister, Ms Nicola Sturgeon, in Cardiff, at which we discussed a wide range of issues. I welcome that she was invited to address Seanad Éireann, where I understand she gave a very good account of herself. We did discuss the offices that have been opened in Dublin and Scotland in respect of Irish-Scottish business and we both agreed that we...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (6 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: That is a matter for the Scottish Assembly and the Scottish people. On Deputy Adams's point about Northern Ireland and a united Ireland, as I have said on my occasions I defend the principles that are contained in the Good Friday Agreement and successive agreements that allow for that opportunity to be dealt with were it to present itself. As Deputy Adams is only too well aware, the Good...

Ceisteanna - Questions: UK Referendum on EU Membership (6 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: In respect of Deputy Adams's question, it is good the Commissioner said he supports the Good Friday Agreement. I have explained this to all the leaders at European level and it was reflected in the conversations between Chancellor Merkel, President Hollande and Prime Minister May in respect of the importance of the Border and Good Friday Agreement. We have had an argument before about what...

Ceisteanna - Questions: UK Referendum on EU Membership (6 Dec 2016)

Enda Kenny: I agree with Deputy Micheál Martin that there is no point in having a viciousness or very trenchant view from leaders at a European level because Britain is leaving the EU. On the other hand, it cannot be that when a country leaves the European Union it is seen to be advantaged by so doing. There is a balance to be struck. If we want to continue without a disruption of trade, the best...