Results 24,561-24,580 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Priorities (31 Jan 2018)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has just published its revised Statement of Strategy reflecting the priorities for the period ahead as well as the changes that have taken place following my appointment as Taoiseach. This includes the establishment of a new configuration of Cabinet Committees which encompasses the Government’s national priorities for the coming years. The Strategy Statement is aligned...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Communications (31 Jan 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 33, 39 and 40 together. I was honoured to be the first EU leader to be invited to take part in the European Parliament debate series on the Future of Europe. My speech to the European Parliament took place in Strasbourg on 17 January. In my intervention, I spoke about the achievements of the European Union, the benefits for Ireland of EU membership, and my...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Urban Renewal Schemes (31 Jan 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme Implementation Board chaired by Michael Stone is overseeing implementation of actions recommended in the Mulvey Report. The short terms measures announced in 2016 have been delivered which amounted to almost €5 million invested in real facilities and services in the area. This included €1 million investment in sports facilities and projects; €700,000...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ministerial Advisers Data (31 Jan 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There are seven Special Advisers employed in my office. They are detailed in the following table: Name Role Salary Level Previous Employment Brian Murphy Chief of Staff Deputy Secretary Special Adviser [Minister for Social Protection] John Carroll Head of Policy and Programme Implementation Assistant Secretary Chief Executive Officer, Public Relations Institute of Ireland Patrick...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (1 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Cathaoirleach. A Sheanadóirí, I am delighted to speak to you today on Lá Fhéile Bhríde, St. Brigid's Feast Day, a date which also marks the first day of spring.   In pagan times today was known as "Imbolc" – a time for making plans and renewing strength. Today’s speech, on my first occasion here as Taoiseach, is inspired by these...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (1 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I think the term the Senator is looking for is "workable alternatives".

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (1 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I will leave that to the committee.

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (1 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Chair, Leader and Senators for their speeches, contributions and questions. I do not think I will be able to cover them all in the time I have and I do not know all the answers to the questions. However, I will do my best to touch on some of the topics that were mentioned more than once. Housing was one of those topics. In the run-up to Christmas, I took the opportunity to try...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (1 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I have been in Limerick recently and it is great to see that city with cranes all over the place as a consequence of Limerick 2030. Jobs are being created everywhere. Out in Shannon, where passenger numbers are being increased again, new jobs are being created. Take the Shannon estate for example. It was 60% vacant a few years ago. It is now 90% full. Those are the real things that are...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (1 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Those are all towns that I have been to in recent times that are doing well. However, I do acknowledge that the recovery is happening at different speeds and at different speeds in different places. Even within Dublin, there are communities where there has been very little recovery. I refer to communities with long-term economic and social problems, including some in my own constituency....

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (1 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I have said that what we want to build is a republic of opportunity. It is about a vision for the future rather than celebrating everything as it is now, because everything is not worthy of celebration at the moment in our country. However, it does not mean equality of outcome – I will be straight with Senators about that. To me equality of outcome, if we really mean it, means that...

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There is a difference between advocating for a place and undermining it. I always support people who advocate for their area, be it a town, a city or the country from where they come, or the rural area they represent. There is a big difference between advocacy and undermining. Advocacy involves acknowledging problems and coming up with solutions, and undermining the place from where one...

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister is here beside me. I will give the House some examples of things that have been done-----

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----in a short period of time to make rural Ireland a better place to live and make it more attractive for people to live, raise their families, set up businesses and do all the things we want. An investment of €21 million has been made in the town and village scheme.

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The local improvement scheme-----

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It says a lot about the different approach that Members on this side of the House are willing to listen to the charges and then the question is thrown in at the end.

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Opposition hates the facts, so I will go through the facts again.

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Some €21 million has been invested in the town and village scheme, and there will be a lot more to come, making our towns and villages a lot more attractive to live in.

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The local improvement scheme has been restored with €17 million spent already on that, improving rural laneways and access-----

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----to farms and homes in rural Ireland. There will be more funding there also. The rural recreation scheme has been granted €11 million and €30 million is provided for the Leader programme. There has been an underspend in the Leader programme-----