Results 18,821-18,840 of 36,764 for speaker:Enda Kenny

Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: -----but that I have no intention of answering it.

Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: I will not get into an argument about budgetary policy here.

Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: I am very unhappy at the level of unemployment generally and particularly youth unemployment. This is a problem that is not that easy to rectify. As we know, young people leave the country for other lands to find work. That is why the Government focused on the JobBridge scheme, which has 6,000 people employed, and the Springboard and Tús schemes, which make particular reference to young...

Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy should note that the European Council meeting last week discussed, agreed and decided on breaking a principle which applied for a long time in Europe which was to the detriment of our families, communities and people.

Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: Just last week, Deputy Adams remarked that we should tell the EU to get lost and to keep its money. The first line of the communiqué states that we affirm it is imperative to break the vicious circle between banks and sovereigns. That is a principle that was not accepted when this country got into trouble a number of years ago. I am glad that decision has now been made and agreed. I also...

Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: This is good news for people in the sense that those who spoke about the European Union and hope for people got a response from the European Council meeting last week. It is not a case of anyone looking for credit. I give great credit to the Irish people for their decision on the referendum, which was accepted and understood by all of the leaders of the 27 member states, not just the 17...

Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: It is wonderful to observe the commentators who comment and the speculation that goes on. Clearly, those who might have had a different view a number of weeks and months ago now reflect because of the decision made by the European Council. I note that Mr. Colm McCarthy said that this is not a diplomatic win, it is a financial win. I agree with him on that. I accept there is a different...

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. My Department received a total of 120 freedom of information requests in the year from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012. A total of 80 requests were granted or part-granted. In 12 cases the Department held no records. Six requests were refused and seven were withdrawn. A total of 15 requests are currently being processed. A total of 76...

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: I do not know the reason for the refusal of the six requests, but I do not have any hand, act or part in dealing with freedom of information requests. I will ask the section that deals with this issue - people do it in addition to their normal work - if there was a specific reason the six requests were not granted. I do not know what they were about or whether personal information or...

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: No. The vast majority of freedom of information requests are answered on time. The Deputy mentioned Deputy Sean Fleming. I am aware of his Private Members' Bill which proposes to extend the remit of the Freedom of Information Act to include a number of other agencies. Clearly, there are some considerations in that regard. The Government has reflected on the issue and the Minister for...

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: We need to have a discussion about this matter in the House when the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform brings forward his memo on re-examining the Freedom of Information Act in general.

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: For instance, individual letters are coming in with ten, 15 or 20 requests, which are treated as one request. The impact of a letter with an individual request could be very significant in terms of the time taken to address it. I would like to think that, in general, we give every Member of the House as much relevant information as is appropriate.

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: I do not want the Deputy to believe there is a "they will not ask it under freedom of information legislation" mindset. If the request is reasonable and the information is available - if it is not sensitive to the State or a person and can be given - the response should be reasonable and appropriate.

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: The Deputy mentioned the savings that could be made. We will examine that matter in the context of what the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is doing in respect of the Freedom of Information Act in general.

Freedom of Information (3 Jul 2012)

Enda Kenny: I used to ask these questions when in opposition. As I told Deputy Micheál Martin, there will be a Private Members' Bill before the House on Friday, to which the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will respond. He has done a great deal of work on the Freedom of Information Act generally and will outline his response in some detail. Most of the complaints received in respect of the...

Leaders' Questions (27 Jun 2012)

Enda Kenny: Deputy Boyd Barrett does not seem to understand or appreciate the consequences of default. His whole philosophy in this House has been negative, a case of do nothing, work for nothing, pay for nothing. Part of the discussions-----

Leaders' Questions (27 Jun 2012)

Enda Kenny: -----on Thursday and Friday are specifically about-----

Leaders' Questions (27 Jun 2012)

Enda Kenny: -----increasing the extent of funds available to the European Investment Bank which will, please God, have a direct impact on many of those communities whose schools are in poor shape. What is being negotiated is the opportunity to provide bundles of primary care centres or schools under the PPP, public-private partnership, system, provided the conditions can be applied and that the extra...

Leaders' Questions (27 Jun 2012)

Enda Kenny: -----that this country could expect to continue to be funded if we were to default or not measure up to our responsibilities?

Leaders' Questions (27 Jun 2012)

Enda Kenny: Ireland's reputation is of a country that will do what it says it will do, that it will meet its requirements, provided we get the extra assistance and flexibility. This country has made significant progress in the past 15 months. The Deputy seems to argue that we should get the money, not pay it back and expect to get more at the same level.