Results 24,961-24,980 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (21 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 11, inclusive, together. The remit of the strategic communications unit is to bring consistency, clarity and professionalism to all Government communications. Its focus is to treat communications as a whole-of-Government activity and to speak to our citizens in a way that they understand and so they can be aware of the Government services available to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (21 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: People of all age groups attend the cinema. When I go to the cinema, I see people of all age groups, although I suppose it depends on what movie one goes to see. I imagine that younger people attend different movies to middle-aged people and older people. It is a good way to speak to a broad section of the community. To clarify, I do not have any role in designing any advertisements or...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (21 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am not aware of any plans to use television advertising. There is, of course, no mention of political parties in any of these advertisements. In fact, there is no mention of the political parties in the Constitution. I note Deputy Burton spoke about the Constitution having a distinction between Oireachtas, Government and political parties. An interesting point about Bunreacht na...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (21 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: To answer the question, there is no contact between civil servants in the unit or any part of my Department and party officials, and nor should there be.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (21 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Of course, there is contact between serving politicians and their parties. I speak to Fine Gael and I do so very regularly, as do special advisers. The total budget for the unit is €5 million for this year and it is up to the directors to determine how it is best spent and spread across the various campaigns.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (21 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I do not have it.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (21 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: If Deputy Micheál Martin writes to the Secretary General, I am sure he will give it to him.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (21 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I will have to see the information first.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (21 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I do not even know if it exists.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (21 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: That will not be known until the campaign is finished.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (21 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I will be happy to provide it.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Protected Disclosures (22 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I appointed an independent third party to review allegations made in a number of protected disclosures relating to health and safety issues in the Air Corps which were received in late 2015 and early 2016. No specific information has been sought from the correspondents in relation to reports which were the subject of an allegation of destruction contained in correspondence which...

Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The strategic communications unit operates at arm's length from me and the rest of the Government. It is a Civil Service-staffed entity which operates at arm's length. It does so in accordance with the Civil Service code. That is the case. On the Deputy's assertion that it has been the most expensive public information campaign run by a Government, that is absolutely not the case. From...

Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I have said before and will say again that good communication is a virtue. It is right and proper that the Government should be able to inform the public about what it is doing, what is happening, how public money is being spent and how it is acting in the people's interest. I often meet people who say to me that the Government is not communicating correctly or not getting its message...

Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Last week the Deputy did not want to talk about it; instead he wanted to talk about process and procedure. This week he wants to talk about the public information campaign because he does not want the people to hear about the plan. He does not want them to hear about the Government's vision to make the country a better place.

Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy does not want to hear about the €116 billion being invested. The Government is delivering infrastructure. Yesterday the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, opened two new primary care centres in Coolock and County Kildare.

Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There are now 110 primary care centres and there were only 40 when the party I lead took office. This morning on the way to work I passed the new paediatric unit at Connolly Hospital.

Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It is now up to its third storey. Within the next couple of weeks the new Luas trams will arrive, making them longer.

Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: This is about pure politics from the Deputy's perspective. We have produced Project Ireland 2040, a €116 billion plan to invest in and improve infrastructure-----

Leaders' Questions (27 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----including roads, rail, health care, housing, transport and all of the really important elements. Last week the Deputy wished to speak about process, but this week he wants to talk about the public information campaign.