Results 31,141-31,160 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: They introduced three-year budgets for all spending ministries to enable longer-term spending. UK ministries are given full end-year flexibility to carry forward any underspend from one year to the next so that wasteful year end splurges of money merely to get it spent are eliminated. Some areas in the Irish public sector, I understand, now receive cheques and payments for work they have...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: On 25 March at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis we were told taxes would be reduced, but Irish motorists woke up this morning knowing they were misled. The increase in motor tax represents a tax of €83 million that will hit every household and family. The spin from the Government is that this is part of a green agenda. It is not. It is a direct hit on the pockets of hard-pressed people who...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: The cry will be to blame the Minister, Deputy Gormley. It is a green tax and that is why he is at it and he had to be given something. It will hit hundreds of thousands of people directly. I mentioned the stealth taxes of the accident and emergency bed charges and the drug refund scheme, which represents a €50 million tax attack on the ill in society. It is strange that the Minister told...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: It is a dull, uninspiring and unimaginative budget from a Minister who is happier to take the easy option than make the difficult decisions. Ordinary families and small businesses will pay for the incompetency and mismanagement of Fianna Fáil running this economy. Whether we have the same Taoiseach this time next year, when we stand in the House we will find the chickens will have come...

Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: If I heard it correctly this morning on RTE, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is to announce his carbon budget, as it is described, today. Can I take it that the announcements being made by Ministers will be made here in the House, as was the case with the budget yesterday, and that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will make his...

Irish Language. (5 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: Question 57: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount that has been spent of the €300,000 set aside to cover costs related to the preparation of the strategy to help the Irish language in the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32480/07]

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department during October 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28177/07]

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: Does the Taoiseach have the numbers concerning how many freedom of information applications were received, how many were rejected and the reasons for their rejection? I know the Taoiseach does not see these matters himself and that there is a process for dealing with them.

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: I have asked this question before and the Taoiseach will probably answer me in the same way again, but where a person's application under the Freedom of Information Act is rejected and their appeal is allowed, they are still charged. As regards his Department, does the Taoiseach think that, in fairness, where an appeal is allowed a person should be charged? On a wider issue, but still...

Commemorative Events. (5 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach if he will institute an annual commemoration of the Famine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28179/07]

Commemorative Events. (5 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. We have discussed this issue on a number of previous occasions. I know it is not possible to have a separate day for every event where requests are made. The Taoiseach's establishment of a committee to look at a memorial day is the way to proceed. The Great Famine was a catastrophic event, and in its own way was the cause of an outflow of people from...

Commemorative Events. (5 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: Maybe it was punishment. Perhaps the Taoiseach might comment on that. Was he aware of it? Would he like books about him to be sent out to schools so they could cast judgment on Deputy Bertie Ahern? Is there a strategy in the Department of Education and Science to do this kind of activity in the future?

Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: I will abide by the ruling of the Ceann Comhairle. The purpose of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Bill, No. 32, is to consolidate 17 items of legislation into one statute. Yesterday there was a discussion on inland fisheries and regional fishery boards, on which this Bill has a bearing. Publication is expected in mid-2008. Does the Taoiseach have a more precise time? The Petroleum...

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: In respect of the huge increase in the use and misuse of drugs throughout the country, last year more than 1,700 new injecting drug users presented at the Merchants Quay needle exchange in Dublin. In fairness to the Garda and its drug squads, nearly two tonnes of cocaine and more than one tonne of herbal cannabis have been seized this year. However, the number of heroin addicts seeking...

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. I would not want anybody to believe we are portraying young people in general as being involved in drugs and I do not believe that was the Taoiseach's intention. This is an issue that concerns every household in the country. I have said this before, in so far as Government action is concerned, we will support the actions of Government to deal with this...

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: Question 97: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will provide a progress report on the welfare reforms outlined in the Programme for Government for family support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32277/07]

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: Question 123: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the details of the incentives to address the issue of families living below the poverty line and the growing pattern of working poverty associated with the major growth in employment in recent years as highlighted by the Combat Poverty Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32278/07]

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: Question 498: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied that the schools start-up grant is adequate in view of the increasing costs being faced by new schools (details supplied); if she will review the grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32576/07]

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: It gives me no satisfaction to have to raise again matters about which the Taoiseach spoke yesterday. However, it appears the credibility of the Taoiseach as leader of the country is being torn to shreds by contradictions emerging from statements he made here and elsewhere. The Irish people do not give two hoots whether the Taoiseach and Mr. Padraic O'Connor were friends, but it matters to...

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Enda Kenny: When did the Taoiseach thank Padraic O'Connor?