Results 25,841-25,860 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There are plans to mark 60 years of service by the Irish Defence Forces in peacekeeping operations around the world. I do not know the detail of them. It is a unique matter of great pride for Ireland that during those 60 years there was not one day on which a member of the Irish Defence Forces was not serving on a UN peacekeeping mission.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I stand over my letter and remarks thanking the HSE and indeed the head of the HSE for the work done during Storm Ophelia and Storm Emma. People in the health service from top to bottom and all the way across did an exemplary job. There are no proposals for Tony O'Brien to have any public service role after he retires from his current position.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Work by the OPW on Burnfoot is ongoing. It is hoped that we can make a decision on that in the near future. Just last week, Minister of State Moran and I announced almost €250 million of investment in flood relief works over the next three years, covering 118 projects. Burnfoot is not one of those projects but it can be added to the list. I understand the work is still ongoing.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There are currently two consultant rheumatologists who care for children with juvenile chronic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and similar conditions. They have been relieved of their duties to look after adult patients in order that they can now concentrate full-time on paediatric patients. The Deputy is quite correct. The international guidelines suggest that we should have six full-time...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Plans to double Ireland’s global footprint by 2025 are advancing. As I have previously stated, that does not necessarily mean a doubling of agencies, embassies, staff or budget – though we are and will be expanding these where appropriate. It means taking the steps necessary to double our impact around the world. The exercise will enhance Ireland’s visibility globally,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The intention is to do exactly what Deputy Martin advocates, namely put in place a strategic plan approved by the Government. Our new target is to publish it before the summer recess. The idea behind this is to expand our embassy and agency presence around the world according to a plan rather than in the ad hocway it has happened in more recent years. Draft versions of the document exist...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff Data (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 4, inclusive, together. There are currently 207.5 whole-time equivalent staff working in my Department. This compares with 203.5 whole-time equivalent staff on 31 December 2017. My Department is structured around seven main work areas. The breakdown of posts currently in each of these areas is as follows: 29 posts in the international, EU and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff Data (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I again wish to place on the record the fact that I try to answer as many questions as I possibly can in the time allowed. However, I think any reasonable person would agree that it takes longer to answer a question than it does to ask it, so there is a substantial imbalance in the time allowed to ask questions and the time provided to answer them. I must admit that I do not always know the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff Data (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----there are approximately ten or 12 in the Northern Ireland section, ten or 12 in the EU section, and a smaller number - six or seven - in the international section. I explained the €2.5 million in contracts yesterday. There are two streams as to how Government will operate campaigns. There are those that are directed by Government, matters we think people know about such as,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff Data (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It made sense to proceed with that and other matters, such as Healthy Ireland, another cross-Government campaign to which this Administration is very committed. We do not need a survey to tell us that people need to know more about the benefits of good health or that they would benefit from good health. However, there are areas of information deficits, and part of the citizens' survey,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff Data (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----financial matters and the economy. In the context of the way I structure the work of my advisers, each holds several portfolios. For example, my chief of staff, who is also one of my policy advisers, covers areas involving the economy, finance and infrastructure. It is a case of getting the balance right. The role of the Taoiseach is to drive Government, drive the implementation...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 11, inclusive, together. On the afternoon of 30 April, I travelled to Northern Ireland following my attendance at the fourth plenary meeting of the all-island civic dialogue in Dundalk. I had a number of different engagements during my visit, which was part of my efforts and those of the Government to stay engaged with all parts of society in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There has not been a formal telephone call or meeting between the two of us in about six weeks, nor has there been a request for one in either direction. A meeting is under consideration for next week, if we are both able to be in Sofia at the same time. I will also travel to Romania on the way to Bulgaria to meet the Romanian President as part of the contacts we are building up in the EU...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----to re-establish the Executive and the Assembly in Northern Ireland. Obviously there is the DUP-Sinn Féin dynamic. There is a real trust issue there. There is mistrust between those two parties which is making it extremely difficult to come to an agreement. I am not sure what the two Governments can do to engender trust between the DUP and Sinn Féin but we will certainly do...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 to 74, inclusive, together. A breakdown of expenditure by my Department in 2017 in the categories of training and development and incidental expenses and travel and subsistence is set out in the following tables. There was no expenditure incurred by my Department on consultancy services and value for money and policy reviews in 2017. It should be noted...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Capital Expenditure Programme (9 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 to 77, inclusive, together. My Department has no capital allocation for the years 2018 to 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (10 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I can assure the Deputy that the Defence Forces are fully aware of the importance of providing robust supports for personnel who require them, whatever the reason. A range of medical and non-medical services are provided to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are medically fit to undertake the duties assigned to them and to treat any medical condition that may arise. As a matter of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medical Services (10 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I can assure the Deputy that the health and safety of the men and women of the Defence Forces is a high priority for me. Given the robust nature of military life and the unique physical and psychological demands it places on individuals, it is necessary that the members of the Defence Forces are physically and mentally prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations. The State has...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (10 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Conciliation and Arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force provides a formal mechanism for the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, that is PDFORRA and RACO, to engage with the Official side. Having regard to commitments made under pay agreements, members of the Permanent Defence Force can make representations in relation to their pay and conditions...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am grateful for this opportunity to reflect on our work to legislate effectively and apply the best thinking to public policy. I am accompanied by my colleague, Mr. Martin Fraser, Secretary General. As part of the programme for Government and the commitment to strengthening Cabinet accountability, it was agreed that all Ministers would appear before their relevant Oireachtas committees and...