Results 22,421-22,440 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: What concerns me, though, is that yesterday Deputy Micheál Martin cast aspersions on the suitability and qualifications of Máire Whelan, who is now a judge of the Court of Appeal. I want Deputy Micheál Martin to be mindful of the separation of powers that exists between Parliament and the Judiciary and I also want him to be mindful of the allegation that he made against my...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Martin had two hours of his party's time to discuss this if he had wanted to, and he chose not to.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I understand there are now discussions under way involving the whips about us using our time to allow the Opposition to discuss this matter further, including a question and answer session. I am sure we can come to agreement on that. It is always the case that I am in the Dáil twice a week. Deputy Martin can ask any question he likes of me and I will do my very best to answer it. ...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Martin did go there publically and doing so, in my view, was a mistake. It was wrong. Perhaps Deputy Martin did not mean to go there.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Perhaps he said something in the heat of argument.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: We have all been responsible for that in our time. However, in doing so, Deputy Martin cast aspersions on someone who is now a judge of the Court of Appeal.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Martin said that she was lesser than other people.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Martin specifically cast aspersions on the competence, capability and suitability of a Court of Appeal justice, Ms Justice Máire Whelan, in this House yesterday. Deputy Martin said that she was a lesser person or of lesser character or less capable than other people he mentioned.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I am referring to the specific people he mentioned. Mindful of the separation of powers that exist between this House and the Judiciary and mindful of the need for people in important positions, such as Deputy Martin and I, not to undermine the Judiciary, I would like to give Deputy Martin one more chance to withdraw the remarks he made about Ms Justice Whelan.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Yes, I do have confidence in the Garda Commissioner, as does the Government does. The problems besetting the Garda are long-standing. Most, if not all, predate her becoming Garda Commissioner.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I believe she is somebody who is fighting many battles on many fronts in an effort to put things right.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: More importantly, I want the public to have confidence in the Garda. That is crucial in my approach to the matter. It is unfortunately true that trust and confidence have been strained because of the revelations that have beset the Garda in recent months and years. The Government has a duty to restore that confidence and trust. We have a policing model in Ireland that is based on...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The best way to restore trust and confidence in the Garda is, first, to ensure there is a thorough investigation of all of the allegations made. That is under way. The Committee of Public Accounts is carrying out hearings and sat for the entire day yesterday in order that the hearings could proceed. I also understand the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has begun a fraud...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: First, I am not on the fence; I have been very clear and straight with the Deputy. I have confidence in the Garda Commissioner, as does the Government. I do not think that is being on the fence. That is being as straight as I possibly can on this issue. In regard to the Act to which the Deputy referred, it requires a Commissioner to inform the Minister for Justice of certain things but...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: That is the case.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy McDonald may not like that being the case but that happens to be the case and that is a judgment call. In terms of the other facts she gave me, I can give her some facts too. The Committee of Public Accounts is currently carrying out an investigation.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It had hearings that went on for hours yesterday at which the Deputy was present. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, has launched an investigation looking in particular into alleged fraud when it comes to accounts in Templemore and a tribunal, the Charleton tribunal, is under way.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Yes, but it is the Deputy's contention that we should bypass all those investigations-----

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----a tribunal-----

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----GSOC and the Committee of Public Accounts and rush a judgment.I do not believe in summary justice or kangaroo courts.