Results 22,941-22,960 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar
- Leaders' Questions (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: We again have this continual pattern. All of us here listen with respect to the questions being asked.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The minute Deputies get an answer or have to hear some facts, they get upset.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I did not twist Deputy Brendan Howlin's words; he twisted mine. He has tried to make out that I said there would be nothing in the budget for the 30% of working people who do not pay USC or income tax.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The kinds of things that are included in our budget and economic policy for people who are on such low pay that they do not pay any income tax because we have taken them out of that net are increases in the minimum wage. This Government and Members on these benches increased the minimum wage twice since the Deputy left office.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: It will be twice in two years.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: We have also agreed wage increases for example, and only last week there was agreement from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Bear in mind the Deputy is the man who said Fine Gael could not negotiate a pay deal and that we did not understand the unions. Last week we saw agreement for the negotiated pay deal with ICTU, which will see pay increases in 2018, 2019 and 2020 for all public...
- Leaders' Questions (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: In the last couple of weeks we have begun the process of bringing in affordable child care for all families.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The subsidy is worth approximately €1,000 per year for families who pay for child care.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: For those who pay tax and the universal social charge, USC, we will reduce their tax and USC so they can have more money in their pockets. For those who do not earn enough to pay USC or income tax, we will improve their lives by improving social insurance benefits and costs such as child care.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: In continuing the sporting theme, we should also acknowledge the phenomenal success of the Cork camogie team on its victory a few weeks ago. All Members look forward to seeing the Dublin ladies Gaelic football team achieve a footballing double for the blue city this weekend. Ireland is often referred to as the data capital of Europe. There are currently 27 data centres in the country and...
- Leaders' Questions (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I agree with Deputy Grealish. It is important that Ireland has a planning process that allows people to give their views on any planning application but it is also important that decisions are made speedily. It is frustrating to see so many of these important decisions being held up in the courts by means of judicial review. That does not only affect private sector projects such as this as...
- Appointment of Ministers of State (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I wish formally to announce the following change to the titles and functions of a Minister of State: the Government has appointed Deputy Seán Kyne to be Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment with special responsibility for community, natural resources and digital development with effect...
- Order of Business (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The bed capacity review is under way. Obviously it is not just about the number of beds, it is about the type of beds. There is a big difference between an ICU bed and a day-case bed, for example, or a paediatric bed. It is at an advanced stage and will be completed in advance of the capital review. It will be completed before the end of the year. We want to have it before the capital...
- Order of Business (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: They are proceeding to design, yes.
- Order of Business (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: It is our wish as a Government to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities this year. It is still our intention to do so. We have run into some difficulties, in particular with the enabling legislation and the deprivation of liberty. The Deputy will know that Ireland takes a different approach from that taken by other countries. Other countries sign a convention,...
- Order of Business (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I will have to come back to the Deputy on both counts. Certainly, in regard to the regulation of crisis pregnancy counselling services, we very much support the approach outlined in the Deputy's Bill. Women who face a crisis pregnancy need to get accurate and impartial advice. It is of great concern to me and the Government that some people may be providing misleading or inaccurate advice...
- Order of Business (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: Yes.
- Order of Business (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: As far as I understand it, the committee voted democratically to decide that the Bill should not progress. Whether it comes back to this House is a procedural question and perhaps one best addressed to the Whips or the Business Committee. Cannabis is available in Ireland as a medicine under certain circumstances and can be applied for under licence from the Minister for Health, but of course-----
- Order of Business (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: -----what is required is that a doctor qualified to do so determines that it is a medicine which is necessary in those cases. The IMO it is a trade union and, of course, I always listen to the views of trade unions. It is not a scientific body.
- Order of Business (20 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: When it comes to taking the advice of scientific bodies, one takes a wide range of advice and not just one scientist. One would listen, for example, to the Royal College of Physicians and the Health Products Regulatory Authority.