Results 26,441-26,460 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Papal Visit (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The event at Dublin Castle will of course be space-limited but it is intended to invite all officeholders and party group leaders from both the Dáil and Seanad. The Government would support a visit to Northern Ireland. That would certainly be welcome, but we regret it is not possible on this occasion. Anyway, I am glad that the Pope will be getting out of Dublin and will be visiting...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Papal Visit (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: They are part of the 4,000.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Papal Visit (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It may be at the end but it is not yet. We have only had 2,000 so far. The reason we have only had 2,000 thus far is we have been unable to seek agreement from the Italian authorities to have people interviewed by the Garda before they come into the country. Greece has agreed to that but Italy has not. It is something that I want to talk to the Italian Prime Minister about when I meet him...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Structured Dialogue Process (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. On 22 January 2018 I met with representatives of the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist churches. I was accompanied by the Minister for Justice and Equality, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the Minister for Education and Skills, the Minister for Health, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Structured Dialogue Process (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, was present because social justice issues were discussed with the religious groups. Members will be familiar with organisations such as Crosscare, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice, all of which are Catholic organisations but which have a lot of knowledge about...

Pre-European Council: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On 28 and 29 June, I will attend a meeting of the European Council in Brussels. I will also attend a meeting of the European Council in its Article 50 format and a eurozone summit. The meeting of the European Council proper on Thursday will focus on security and defence, migration, jobs, growth and competitiveness, innovation and digital issues, the multi-annual financial framework, and...

Pre-European Council: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, will speak on the other issues on the agenda of the European Council including innovation and digital, the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, and external relations. I look forward to engaging with my EU colleagues at the European Council, while always keeping in mind the best interests of Ireland and Europe. I look forward to reporting back to the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: British-Irish Council (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 78, 80 and 81 together. I attended the 30th British Irish Council (BIC) Summit in Guernsey on Friday 22 June, hosted by Chief Minister Gavin St. Pier. I was accompanied by Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy TD. The discussion at the summit covered key political developments for Administrations since the last summit...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committee Meetings (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Cabinet Committee C assists the Government in its ongoing consideration of Brexit. It also covers other EU and international issues and supports my participation as a member of the European Council. It last met on Thursday 21 June, in advance of the European Council on 28/29 June. Given their significance, matters relating to Brexit and other EU issues are frequently discussed by the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Electric Vehicles (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is located in one building - Government Buildings on Merrion Street - which is managed by the Office of Public Works. There are no e-car charging points provided in Government Buildings. No property is owned, part-owned or under the control of my Department.

Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. When it comes to the Cabinet, there is no denial whatsoever of the enormous economic and social challenge we face as a result of the housing crisis and its worst and most distressing aspect - family homelessness, with children not being able to go home at night and having to do their homework on a hotel bed. The Government is aware of the...

Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The number of people living in emergency accommodation is levelling off. In the Dublin area, for example, last month there was a reduction in the number of families entering homelessness.

Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: For the first time, we were taking more people out of homelessness than were entering it.

Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We are moving away from the use of hotels and bed and breakfast accomodation which are totally unsuitable for families and towards family hubs which are very different as they have cooking and washing facilities and play areas. While it is by no means a long-term solution and an alternative to a house or an apartment, it is a much better temporary solution. There are 500 such places, with...

Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The CSO figures which nobody disputes and which cannot lie show that last year 14,446 new homes were built. That figure does not include the number of vacant houses - more than 2,000 - being brought back into use. It also does not include the student accommodation being made available, of which there is a lot.

Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The 14,446 new homes built last year amounted to an increase of 50% on the figure for the previous year. That is evidence that the level of housing supply is ramping up.

Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We expect 18,000 or 20,000 new homes to be built this year.

Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Let us leave aside announcements for the moment and let us-----

Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: This morning I came off a plane from New York at 1.30, so that is where I was.

Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Unfortunately the Government jet does not cross the Atlantic. It was Norwegian Air, but to answer the question, let us leave aside the announcement for the moment, let us leave aside the spin, let us leave aside the Deputies railing against that-----