Results 16,761-16,780 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: Radon is a naturally occurring gas as the Deputy is aware. This issue has been raised over the years. When local authorities issue planning permission for individual or group housing they should always send out an information leaflet for persons to contact the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland for analysis of the location where they intend to build in respect of the extent or...

Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: I cannot give the Deputy the details at present but I undertake to send him the up to date position on it.

Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: I already answered another Deputy in respect of the question regarding the abolition of the Seanad. I expect the referendum to be put in the autumn. The Shannon aviation services centre Bill and the social welfare and pensions Bill will be taken later in the year.

Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: It most certainly is not acceptable and the question of cyberbullying is now the focus of attention of an Oireachtas committee. The point raised by the Deputy in this regard is obviously a matter for the Garda Commissioner and the Garda. It is not acceptable that such behaviour is put up on video. It is related to the work and in the interest of the Oireachtas committee dealing with...

Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: It will be later this year.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: As I said to Deputies Adams and Boyd Barrett, I do not believe that now is the time for a Border poll rather it is a time for relentless pursuit of the creation of an environment wherein jobs and investment can take place. In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett's question, this cannot be done unless a situation is created wherein there is confidence in our economy, including from abroad. Two...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: I am the first to admit that our unemployment level, at 14.9%, is too high. However, we cannot deal with this effectively until we get our house in order and there is confidence that this is a country in which people should invest.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Boyd Barrett referred to wasted talent. The people for whom I feel sorry are those who leave this island because they have no hope and do not know what to do. One issue being addressed during our Presidency is that of recognition of professional qualifications. Far from people having to resort to emigrate to the far end of Australia or Canada and so on, there are opportunities...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: I am not suggesting that they be required to emigrate. The 500 Irish people I met in Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore are there by choice because they see real opportunities there.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: The failure of politics is the people who leave because of a lack of hope. While we need to address this, we cannot do so until such time as we create confidence in the country, which will be proven by inward investment, which is now beginning to happen. I accept there is a long way to go but we are heading in the right direction.

Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: It is proposed to take No. 11, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Planning and Development (Planning Enforcement) General Policy Directive 2013; No. 12, motion re membership of committee; and No. 3, Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2013 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in...

Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: The issue of discretionary medical cards can be addressed during the debate on the health (amendment) Bill which will be taken during this session. I expect the low carbon bill to be cleared in a couple of weeks. It will form part of the climate change Bill which will be produced later this year.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: I hope we can have a discussion about the report in respect of the bill of rights when I next have an opportunity to talk to the leaders in Northern Ireland. In regard to the Border poll, I have listened to the Deputy's comments and to those of the Minister, Ms Arlene Foster MLA. I think she might have a slightly different view from that of the Deputy. This is clearly a matter that is...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: That is the point. I do not believe now is the time to do it. I know the Deputy has been involved trying to assist in the recent difficulties over the flag controversy in Northern Ireland. It is time for the First Minister, Mr. Robinson MLA, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness MLA, and everybody else including us here, to work in the interests of restoring stability and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: Freedom of information is being handled by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin. He met the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform to discuss this recently and he is awaiting the response of and proposals from the committee. Following consideration of the views and recommendations of the committee and the drafting of the Bill by the Office of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: I agree with Deputy Boyd Barrett on one thing, that jobs should be the priority. As he said himself on four occasions, it is about jobs, jobs, jobs and jobs. We will not have a country we can be proud of and face with courage into the future unless we deal with our problems here. They are our public finances, the structures of the way a number of Departments have operated in the past, and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: The public sector has had a major exit in reducing numbers, its cost and its scale. Potential exists now for doing business in a different way, with technology and communications. It is the case - Deputy Boyd Barrett is right - that the responsibility of Government is to create that environment where jobs and investment can take place. Deputy Ó Fearghaíl referred to this also....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: Go raibh maith ag an Teachta Adams. Glacaim lena dhea-ghuí maidir le hUachtaránacht na hEorpa a bheith ag Éirinn. Bíodh sé cinnte go ndéanfaimid ár ndícheall chun é sin a chomhlíonadh go hiomlán. I can send Deputy Adams the details of the progress being made on the stimulus package announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: I thank the Deputy for his support for the country in the context of the Government holding the Presidency of the European Union. Ireland will not have the opportunity to hold the Presidency again until 2026 or 2027, so there has been a focus from Europe on an effective Presidency by Ireland. The Government has prepared well for this. We have had a good start with the Commission, the...

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2013)

Enda Kenny: No more than anybody else, we are interested in protecting, in so far as we can, lower and middle income families. That is why there was not an increase in income tax. That is also why the minimum wage was restored and, in so far as possible, such arrangements protected.