Results 22,661-22,680 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----and says specifically in its introductory section that it does not supersede the programme for Government or the confidence and supply agreement made with Fianna Fáil.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I did not say that I would take personal responsibility for or charge of health; I said that I would take an interest in it and I will do so. Tomorrow I will meet the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, and the Secretary General of his Department in order that they might give me a better overview of what is happening in the health service and to consider how I can bring the support of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware of estimates in that regard, as is Deputy Howlin because we spoke about the issue when he was Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I am aware of the potential cost of the case being decided against the State. However, if one was to add up the potential cost of all legal cases being taken against the State, it would be many billions of euros, not just hundreds of millions.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Not that I am aware of. In regard to section 39 organisations, I refer Deputy Burton to the answer I gave to Deputy Micheál Martin on this exact issue during today's Leader's Questions. I reiterate that the Government will take a very dim view of any body that tries to reduce services when it has had its budget increased and that will be-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy was suggesting that services might be reduced at a time when budgets have increased and obviously we would need to understand that-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive, together. Having appointed Ministers and Ministers of State to their various portfolios across Government, I will reflect on how my Department can best support the important work ahead. I will continue to meet officials in the Department and decide over the coming weeks what changes might be required. Four Ministers of State hold...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, answered this question yesterday in a very straightforward way. He said that the Department of Education and Skills acquires lands as it sees fit. It has a capital budget which it can use to buy land and build schools and it has to prioritise how it spends that money. On the matter raised earlier by Deputy Gino Kenny, I am always...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I have not figured out the composition of my advisory team yet. I want to have a working understanding of my new role before I form a full working team and I also want to have a better understanding of what good expertise exists in the Department already and which I will avail of fully. Where there are gaps I will try to fill those with my advisory team. I will of course endeavour to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot clear up that particular issue because I am not sure what it refers to. It may refer to a story I saw in the Sunday Mail, which certainly was not quoting me and did not claim to quote me. It claimed to quote some anonymous source, and as is always the case from things I see from anonymous sources in the newspapers, I may have my suspicions as to who said it. These things are...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It is absolutely not my thinking. On the issue of gender balance within my ministerial team, as the Deputy knows we select our Ministers from Parliament. It is different in other countries, where Ministers may be selected from outside Parliament. Of the 12 female Deputies who support this Government, seven are Ministers, including the Tánaiste and five women who sit at the Cabinet...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: On the issue of Brexit, as Taoiseach I will be attending the European Council. The treaties and the rules are clear as to who can attend the European Council and who cannot. I will be attending the European Council and dealing with European affairs and Brexit at that level, that is, at the level of Prime Minister, the Commission and the Council. I am ably supported by a team lead by Mr....

Ceisteanna - Questions: European Council Meetings (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 15, inclusive, together. I travelled to Brussels on 22 and 23 June to attend a meeting of the European Council. As I reported to the House last week, the agenda dealt with security and defence; external relations; the Paris Agreement on climate change; jobs, growth and competitiveness; digital Europe; and migration. There was also a presentation by...

Ceisteanna - Questions: European Council Meetings (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: As we are speaking about engagements with foreign leaders, I take the opportunity to inform the House that the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Justin Trudeau, will visit Ireland next Tuesday with his family. I look forward very much to his visit and to renewing the long-standing bonds of friendship that exist between Canada and Ireland. As countries, we have a great deal in common given our...

European Council: Statements (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Last Thursday and Friday, I travelled to Brussels for a meeting of the European Council where I joined with other leaders to discuss a range of important issues facing the Union. This was my first meeting of the European Council since being elected Taoiseach and it was a very useful opportunity to meet all my EU counterparts. In addition to informal exchanges in the margins of the meeting,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I spoke with President Trump by phone yesterday afternoon. It was a short congratulatory call, similar to a number of calls I have had over recent days. The President and I spoke about Brexit and its impact on Ireland as well as the Peace Process and efforts to reinstate power sharing in Northern Ireland. I acknowledged the importance of continued close interest and support from the US...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ministerial Advisers Appointments (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I am currently considering the advisory supports that I might need in my role as Taoiseach and Head of Government. While I have not as yet finalised the make-up of my team, I intend to recruit a number of Special Advisers, including a Chief of Staff. All such appointments will be, of course, subject to Government approval.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Agencies Data (28 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The National Economic and Social Council (NESC), the only relevant body insofar as my Department is concerned, is an advisory body and not required to have a tax clearance certificate.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (29 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Malaria is a serious disease and is a threat to any military force operating in areas where the disease is prevalent. There are three anti-malarial drugs in use by the Irish Defence Forces, namely Lariam (mefloquine), Malarone and Doxycycline. The choice of medication for overseas deployment, including the use of Lariam, is a medical decision made by Medical Officers in the Defence Forces,...

Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Once again, on behalf of the Government, I convey my sincere condolences to the family of Thomas Power on their very sad loss. As the Deputy knows, I cannot comment on individual cases. However, I stress the importance of patient confidentiality and patient privacy. The Minister for Health expects, as I do, that all proper procedures will take place with regard to the examination of the...

Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot answer that question for the Deputy. I do not know who stopped it or if anyone stopped it at all.