Results 721-740 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Report of the Fennelly Commission: Statements (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the final report of the Fennelly commission in the House today. I received the final report of the Fennelly commission on Friday, 31 March. In accordance with the Commissions of Investigation Act, I arranged for its publication as soon as possible, after consulting the Office of the Attorney General on Thursday, 6 April. I want to put on the record of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Emergency Plan (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: As the Deputy is aware, we have provided significant funding for naval vessels as part of the operation of the Defence Forces. The Office of Emergency Planning, which is in the Department of Defence, co-ordinates the response to an emergency and it promotes best practice in emergency planning. The Government task force on emergency planning is comprised of representatives of all Departments...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: I do not have a date for that but I will come back to Deputy Howlin on it. The process will include consultation of members of the public, service users, advocacy groups, a range of health professionals and so on. I will advise the Deputy on what the state of progress is.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Emergency Plan (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: National emergency planning and management in this country is based on the lead Department principle, that is, the Department with lead responsibility in the area in question takes the lead in co-ordinating the response to the emergency. The framework for major emergency management lists some 50 types of emergency and sets out the lead Department for each. The framework is available on...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Emergency Plan (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: It is a very valid question that Deputy Howlin raises. The way these are structured depends on the emergency. If it is infectious animal diseases, feedstuff contamination or food safety, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine would obviously take the lead. Tsunami warnings, communication services, ICT, cyber attacks or energy are led by the Department of Communications, Climate...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Emergency Plan (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: They are the lead Departments for those kinds of emergencies. I take the Deputy's point, for instance, in respect of cyber attacks. We now have such an enormous investment in digitisation in so many companies throughout the country. This is an issue that needs to be looked at. By coincidence, I have called a security meeting for tomorrow, arising from the incident in Sweden and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Emergency Plan (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: However, as the Deputy pointed out, it is not beyond a possibility that issues can arise in Ireland. In respect of the commission that is going to look at the root and branch analysis of the kind of police force that we need for the next five, ten and 20 years, this is certainly a subject that should be discussed in the context of intelligence, where it should come from, whether it should...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: I cannot give Deputy Burton an answer to her question because I do not have that information, but I will find out for her. We have discussed previously the opening of a theatre which was paid for by the taxpayer for some years but which has not been opened. On the previous occasion on which this was raised, my understanding was that the appropriate and qualified personnel would be there to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: The problem is to get inside the system in a way that is efficient and realistic for people. That is why we have had pressure in emergency departments. In the context of Wexford General Hospital, for example, the layout of the new emergency department has greatly eased the pressure that used to apply there. That is what we need at many other locations as well and that is part of the plan...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: I know that. The category Deputy Howlin mentioned is being examined with a view to implementing it. We did the asthma cycle of care for children under six years and the diabetes cycle of care for adult patients with type 2 diabetes. Obviously, there needs to be a decisive shift in the health service towards primary care.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: A number of primary care centres are being built. Many of these close at 5 p.m. We need to look at the contract with the GPs in terms of the way that service is provided. The development of a new and modernised contract, which has not been done for years, is an issue the Minister is very concerned about and one he is obviously working on. He has stated his wish to have that kind of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Bríd Smith raised a question about the Minister, Deputy Varadkar. I disagree with her comments about him. Ministers are well in tune with the many sections of society that make contact with them daily. This case is before the Labour Court. I hope that will result in an early solution which will bring about a return to work for the drivers and members of Bus Éireann, and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: This matter is before the Labour Court, as Deputy Smith is aware.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: They are as aware of that, as is the Deputy. I will leave the Labour Court in its independence to make its decisions. Deputy Howlin raised the point-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: I am telling the Deputy that I am not interfering in the issue of the Labour Court attempting to resolve this dispute.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Smith is mentioning what she thinks is a facility to end this dispute. The Labour Court-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: The Labour Court is dealing with the matter. It is hoped this dispute will be resolved. The court is completely independent in its deliberations, as Deputy Smith is aware. Deputy Howlin raised the need for the forum that the Minister, Deputy Ross has mentioned. If this matter is settled up, I would expect that out of that forum will come repeated emphasis on the overall strategy for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 6 and 7 together. The Cabinet committee on health last met on 21 March. It will meet again on 27 April. That response is inside the time limit.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on infrastructure, environment and climate action has responsibility for oversight of delivery of key infrastructure and associated policy, including commitments in the programme for Government. In addition, the committee addresses the climate change challenge in terms of domestic policy, including...

Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Apr 2017)

Enda Kenny: I will have to update Deputy O'Loughlin on the progress made there.