Results 26,501-26,520 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: If the Ceann Comhairle can give me another few minutes, I will go through them.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On the budget, the total budget package for 2019 will be in the region of €3.5 billion. The vast of majority of that is committed but it is important to remember how it is committed. There is €1.5 billion in additional capital spending for public infrastructure, housing, broadband, healthcare, climate action and all those areas. There is additional funding for health and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----in that we have announced measures in advance, for example, particularly on capital spending so that there can be proper planning.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On the tax package, the focus will be on income taxes. Last year, we paid for the reduction in the USC and the reduction in income through tax increases elsewhere. It was paid for through measures such as the sugar tax, for example, and the increase in stamp duty on commercial property. We paid for the tax package last year through tax increases in other areas. I imagine, although it is...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It is a different proposition to raise it through additional taxation but others, not Deputy Boyd Barrett, in fairness, are arguing that we should borrow more. More borrowing is the wrong policy at the moment. The economy is growing fast, tax revenues are very buoyant and we are approaching full employment. Now is not the time to increase borrowing. Now is the time to balance the books and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: That is the responsible thing to do in my view. On the rainy day fund, it is intended that will be managed by the NTMA. On the film industry, I have not seen the report that Deputy Boyd Barrett mentions. He indicated there are few or no permanent jobs in the film industry. I suspect that is related to the nature of the industry in many ways. Film projects are discrete projects and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 9, inclusive, together. Cabinet committee B last met on 7 June. A date for the next meeting has not yet been scheduled. The committee covers the areas of social policy and public service reform, including education, children, social inclusion, Irish, arts and culture, and continued improvements and reform of public services. Cabinet committee B...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We have a gender pay gap in Ireland. There are many reasons for it, two of which I cited. I said that women do not get a fair go. They do not get a fair crack of the whip when it comes to promotion in the workplaces because women are very often unfairly expected to carry a greater burden of child care then men. I do not think there is anything wrong about that. I think both those things...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I do not have any particular information about the educational matter raised by Deputy McDonald but I will certainly tell the Minister for Education and Skills that it was raised here when I see him tomorrow. The fundamental idea behind any tax relief or incentive, particularly if it is one that is commercially focused and aimed at the private sector, is that the benefits should outweigh...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It may not be. All tax reliefs should be regularly reviewed.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): National Economic and Social Council (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 12, inclusive, together. The National Economic and Social Council, NESC, is an independent statutory agency operating under the aegis of my Department. The council analyses and reports on strategic policy matters relevant to Ireland's economic, social, environmental and sustainable development. Its membership comprises representatives of business and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): National Economic and Social Council (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: In fairness, probably two days do not pass when I do not have something to say about housing or homelessness.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): National Economic and Social Council (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I did at noon today.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): National Economic and Social Council (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: If anyone cares to check the record, there is not a week, or even a period of two or three days, that goes by when I am not asked about housing or homelessness and I do not have something to say about it. It is not necessary for me to issue a press statement every time a set of figures comes out. I do not do that as standard, even if the figures are positive and there are plenty of such...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): National Economic and Social Council (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It should not matter who owns them. Local authorities have CPO powers to purchase unused properties and add them to the social housing stock. Whether they are owned by the Deputy, me or a vulture fund should not really matter. The objective is to get vacant homes into use at a time when we need more homes. The NESC land use report is very strong and we intend to act on it. We have...

European Council: Statements (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Tá áthas orm labhairt os comhair na Dála inniu faoi chruinniú Chomhairle an Aontais Eorpaigh a bhí ar siúl sa Bhruiséal ar an Déardaoin agus ar an Aoine seo caite. I attended the European Council in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, 28 and 29 June. On Thursday, we met in regular format to discuss migration, security and defence, the European economy...

European Council: Statements (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We will certainly provide one. I tend to make edits, but we can provide a copy.

European Council: Statements (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Does that apply to everyone?

European Council: Statements (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It seems a little unfair, but no, I am happy to provide a copy.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (4 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I met Tim Cook, Chief Executive of Apple, on 18th June in Dublin. Apple is a major investor in the country, and employs more than 5,000 people in Ireland – mostly in Cork. I regularly meet with companies with a presence in Ireland, and it is right for me to do so. Indeed, during our meeting, Mr. Cook highlighted Apple's continued investment in Ireland, in particular a new extension...