Results 26,561-26,580 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Order of Business (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I do not issue instructions to Minister Ross, but I will certainly ask him-----

Order of Business (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----to correspond with the Deputy on the progress of that statutory instrument. I know that he wants to sign it and that the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, and the Minister, Deputy Doherty, are very enthusiastic about having that done. I am aware that some concerns have been raised around enforceability and how a passing distance of 1.5 metres between a car and bike can be established...

Order of Business (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Electricity prices are regulated. They are regulated by what used to be the Commission for Energy Regulation but is now the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. We have increased the fuel allowance. We did that already this year and we will certainly consider doing it again next year. However, it is a simple fact that electricity prices are largely linked to the cost of fossils fuels,...

Order of Business (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I refer to climate change.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The Government recently approved the annual report setting out progress on the programme for Government. It sets out detailed progress since May 2017 on commitments being implemented across government. It will be published shortly and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. In addition to delegation orders that assign...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Yes.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I believe it allows 20 and we have 19. I will check that.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We have it here. It has not yet been published, admittedly.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: May I see it?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am not into the practice of keeping scorecards on ministerial accountability but I certainly keep close note of whether Ministers are achieving the objectives set for them in the programme for Government and in bilateral meetings. I am happy with the work of my Ministers but of course there are always issues of concern. Where there is concern, it is shared concern and my job as Taoiseach...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Am I over time?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am only on the first page.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am happy to continue but it is in the hands of the Members.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I was asked about the Working Group of Committee Chairmen. I have met that group once in the past year, not twice, but I would be happy to meet them again. All Ministers of State have assigned responsibilities. They do not all have a delegation order, however, as delegation orders only apply if statutory functions are being transferred to Ministers and Minister of State. That would be...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: She was not a Minister though. I am sorry the opportunity was not taken when Deputy Burton-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I think the super-junior is not being counted either. Aside from Deputy Burton herself, the only other full Minister who was appointed to Cabinet was Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, if I remember correctly. The opportunity was lost on that occasion for gender parity, but I anticipate the opportunity will arise in the future for others; I hope it does anyway. I strongly agree with what Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Every Deputy's mandate is equal, whether he or she is elected by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour Party, Sinn Féin or any other party. I believe the larger parties are discriminated against in terms of speaking time. As Deputy Heydon has pointed out, there are as many Fine Gael backbenchers as there are Sinn Féin Deputies, so surely Fine Gael backbenchers should have the same...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together. I met Mr. Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple, on 18 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 companies with a presence in Ireland and it is right for me to do so. During our meeting Mr. Cook highlighted Apple's continued investment in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Tim Cook's name can be mentioned in the Chamber. His name was mentioned in my response. I do not know why it did not appear in the question. I have used his name in the Chamber. I do not think there is any person in the world whose name cannot be mentioned in this Chamber. The money that has been mentioned is being paid into an escrow account which is...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (10 Jul 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I do not have the exact amount that has been paid in so far.