Results 25,581-25,600 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (18 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I did not say there are no issues. There are always issues with any nation. In terms of establishing a bespoke security agency, which I imagine would be an Irish version of MI5, MI6, Mossad or the CIA, or something along those lines, it is one of the matters that the Commission on the Future of Policing, headed by Kathleen O'Toole, is considering. We are expecting its report in September....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (18 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We would also need to consider the costs as well. There are quite a lot of people who describe themselves as security analysts and intelligence experts who regularly crop up in the newspapers and on the news. I imagine many of them would very much like us to spend a lot of money setting up such a body. No doubt there would be contracts to be awarded and all sorts of other things. I am...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (18 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am not entirely sure that we need to have something on the lines of a Central Intelligence Agency-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (18 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----or a KGB or Mossad. It is something that is being considered by the commission, and if it recommends it, we will certainly give it detailed consideration, but we would need to weigh up the pros and cons. I do not think it is necessarily or naturally the case that just because other countries have it, we should have it too. In terms of Syria, the Government unequivocally condemns...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On 31 August last, I held a formal meeting under the structured dialogue process with representatives of the Catholic Church, led by Archbishop Eamon Martin. I was accompanied at the meeting by the then Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and by the Ministers for Education and Skills; Health; Transport, Tourism and Sport; and Employment Affairs and Social...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The structured dialogue with churches and faith communities is arranged and organised by civil servants. It is something that my forebearer as Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, did also. I decided to continue to do it.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: That may well be the case.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The former Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, attached a lot of value to it. I attended some of the meetings as a Minister and I decided I would continue with the practice when I became Taoiseach. I have no doubt that previous taoisigh, including Mr. Bertie Ahern, saw value in it also. We generally meet in round-table format, with many Ministers around the table and many representatives from...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Bioenergy Strategy (18 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Government recognises the contribution that the bioeconomy can make in promoting the more efficient use of renewable resources and supporting sustainable economic development and employment in rural Ireland. In order to fully realise this potential, an Interdepartmental Group, bringing together the departments involved in the bioeconomy and chaired by my Department, was established in...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Strategic Communications Unit (18 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On 1stMarch last, I requested that the Secretary General of my Department conduct a review into the operations of the SCU. The report from this review was accepted by Government on 27thMarch last and published on the same date. This is now being implemented. In accordance with the report, there will be a managed reversion to the more traditional GIS model, with a transition period until July...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Strategic Communications Unit (18 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 to 73, inclusive, together. A number of the planned media arrangements for Project Ireland 2040 had been paused pending the outcome of the review into the operation of the Strategic Communications Unit (SCU) by the Secretary General of my Department.This included additional media content partnership arrangements and national and regional radio campaigns....

Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I will start by joining the Leader of the Opposition in expressing my condolences to Canada and the Canadian people on what was an appalling attack in Toronto yesterday. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has been in touch with the Canadian authorities to pass on the regrets of the Government. I would like to use this opportunity to express solidarity with the...

Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister has stated that he regrets taking the telephone call and regards it as a political mistake on his behalf and has apologised for it today. He accepts it was a political mistake which he regrets and for which he has apologised today.

Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: With respect, the Deputy is selectively quoting the response of the Minister, Deputy Naughten, which is not the right approach to take. When he took this unsolicited phone call, the matter was not before him. It was the lobbyist who informed him that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission had made its decision and the matter was not before him. By the time it arose in the...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (24 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Like everyone in this House, I abhor crimes of this nature. Sexual crimes are among the worst that can be perpetrated against anyone. Crimes against children are also among the worst that can be committed. On sentencing, it is important to acknowledge that there is a separation of powers between the Dáil, the Government and the Judiciary. Ultimately, it is judges and juries who...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (24 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I understand that the sentences handed down in this case were concurrent sentences of seven and a half years and six and a half years, with 12 months suspended. That was on foot of several grave and egregious offences committed against these women. The Government's view on sentencing is that the best way is not through mandatory sentencing, and we are agreed on that, but through...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (24 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I certainly accept the principle. I have not seen the detail.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (24 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I acknowledge the enormous costs which arise for parents in preparing children for school, whether it is the cost of clothes, sports gear, books and all the other things that children require to participate fully in school life. Part of the Government's role is to assist parents with those costs through measures such as child benefit and increases in family income supplement and the working...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (24 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We have also expanded-----

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (24 Apr 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----the school meals programme considerably in recent years, extending it to all DEIS schools and, for the first time, beyond them. The latter is because we know that 50% of children who are disadvantaged do not attend DEIS schools. We have also done other things such as subsidising childcare, bringing in a second year of preschool and ensuring that everyone gets the two full years of...