Results 22,741-22,760 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Dáil Reform (4 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: In relation to Dáil Reform, this Government continues to build on the Oireachtas reform packages introduced by the last Government. Implementation of the Programme for a Partnership Government requires a new relationship between the Government and Oireachtas. This is reflected in significant Dáil reforms which are being implemented, providing a significantly greater role for...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Brexit Data (4 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Brexit is treated as a crucial cross-cutting issue by my Department, through the International, EU and Northern Ireland Division, under a Second Secretary General who also acts as the Irish Sherpa in EU matters, including Brexit. While the Division handles a range of responsibilities across international, EU and British and Northern Ireland relations, Brexit is the dominant issue at...

Leaders' Questions (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I do not want to comment in detail on yesterday’s raids because they form part of an ongoing investigation by European authorities. Nobody in this House wants to say anything that could prejudice that investigation. However, the whole issue of rising insurance costs is a big one and is severely impacting on individuals, families and businesses. It is not just the rising cost of...

Leaders' Questions (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: However, what we want to see is a significant improvement in insurance costs, not just moderation. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission advised the Department of Finance that the raids in question were not connected to its current investigation of the motor industry. In addition, a press release from the European Commission stated:The European Commission can confirm that [on 4...

Leaders' Questions (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The actions that occurred yesterday, the actions taken by the Competition Authority in the past and by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in recent times, show real evidence that action is being taken to enforce competition law and ensure no collusion or cartels exist among businesses seeking to fix prices. We all acknowledge in this House that insurance costs have increased...

Leaders' Questions (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: We will all agree that the provision of SNAs for children with special educational needs is essential. We want all children to be able to avail themselves fully of the educational opportunities that are made available to them in our schools. The Government is absolutely committed to that. We have shown proof of that in recent years. There are now approximately 13,000 SNAs. There are more...

Leaders' Questions (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: They will hear this week. As I said, there will be an additional 975 SNAs in place for September. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, will give the detail in a statement this week. Therefore, everyone will know this week where they stand for September. In future years, the decision will be made much earlier because it will be part of the normal Estimates process, which is in October. There will...

Leaders' Questions (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The visit of Prime Minister Trudeau to Ireland was a very welcome visit. The purpose of the visit was to cement the bonds of friendship that exist between our two countries and governments. We discussed many different issues in our meetings, but free trade and CETA, which is a free trade agreement between the EU and Canada, were things we discussed in depth. While some countries may be...

Leaders' Questions (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I very much agree with the Deputy's sentiment. In Ireland, labour and employers support free trade. Left, right and centre support free trade. It was not always so and I am glad that it is one of the areas in which that argument has been won in the past couple of decades. We have a vast political consensus in Ireland in favour of free trade and its benefits to business, individuals and...

Leaders' Questions (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----is reducing the tariff barriers. Obviously, if the Deputy wants to have that, it could be discussed with the Business Committee or perhaps be done in his party's time.

Leaders' Questions (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I was here when the Deputy introduced the Bill. I have not had the chance to read it yet. We will certainly consider it when it is brought to the floor of the House. I think Deputy Ryan will agree with what we are trying to achieve here. First, we want to reward people who recycle, reuse, compost and reduce their waste. It is not right that somebody who does not do those things should...

Leaders' Questions (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Government is certainly open to considering any idea that might achieve the objectives we share, which are to reduce waste and protect the environment. To the best of my recollection, the Bill has not yet come before the Cabinet; therefore, there has not yet been a Government decision on it. We will need to study it. First, we need to ensure it will not transgress any rule relating to...

Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: When it comes to aviation, safety must come first. As I was formerly the Minister with responsibility for transport and aviation safety, it is an area about which I know a little and in which I certainly took an interest when I held that brief. Everyone in the House can be assured that, as far as we are concerned, when it comes to aviation, safety comes first. It is always the pilot's...

Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: No legislation has been promised in this area. There is a programme for Government commitment to increase the statutory minimum wage. In the past five years the national minimum wage has been increased on three occasions. It has been increased by about 20% during that period, at a higher rate than the increase in wages generally. I am sure it be will increased further into the future. The...

Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----but does not include employers or independent economists in the group making that assessment.

Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It is questions on promised legislation, not questions and answers. I am sure questions can be asked in the normal way.

Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I do not have a date for the announcement, but I will ask the Minister, Deputy Michael Ring, to confirm that as soon as possible.

Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: This is legislation that I support strongly. I published it myself as Minister for Health and introduced it into the Seanad just over a year ago. I met with the Minister, Deputy Simon Harris, about it and other matters just last week. The Government is very keen to have this legislation enacted. It is not going to be possible to have it done before the recess, but it is intended to have...

Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: There is no legislation promised in this area, but on the issue of rural broadband and the need to phase that in as soon as possible, there has been some recent commentary on the plan. I want to clarify that, contrary to reports, the procurement process has not been paused, and it is continuing in parallel with the commercial deployment of high-speed broadband by commercial operators. Some...

Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: There is no legislation promised on that-----