Results 26,801-26,820 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (26 Sep 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 16 together. On 8 July the Taoiseach welcomed the Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz, to Dublin. This visit took place as Austria began its six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union and followed Taoiseach’s own visit to Vienna in February. Taoiseach was pleased that Chancellor Kurz chose Ireland as the first member state to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committee Meetings (26 Sep 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The most recent meeting of Cabinet Committee A took place on the 9th of July. The next meeting has not yet been scheduled but, of course, the full Cabinet also considers these issues on an regular basis.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (26 Sep 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I met with Pope Francis during his visit to Dublin Castle on Saturday 25th August. The meeting provided an opportunity for both of us to discuss a number of issues, though regrettably not in any great depth because of the short duration of the meeting. I welcomed Pope Francis who thanked me for the warm welcome he had received on arrival. We spoke of the legacy of pain and suffering...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (26 Sep 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I met with Pope Francis during his visit to Dublin Castle on Saturday 25th August. The meeting provided an opportunity for both of us to discuss a number of issues, though regrettably not in any great depth because of the short duration of the meeting. I welcomed Pope Francis who thanked me for the warm welcome he had received on arrival. We spoke of the legacy of pain and suffering...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Citizens Assembly (26 Sep 2018)

Leo Varadkar: As I have previously publically stated, most recently at the Congress of Women's Caucuses on 10 September, I intend to bring forward proposals for the establishment of a new Citizens' Assembly to consider the issue of gender equality shortly. I would further propose that the Assembly also examines options for comprehensive local government reform, specifically the nature and powers of a...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: European Council Meetings (26 Sep 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I attended the Informal Summit in Salzburg on 19 / 20 September where I met with my EU counterparts. We discussed migration, internal security and Brexit. On Brexit, Prime Minister May presented the UK perspective after dinner on Wednesday evening. The EU27 met in Article 50 format the following day to review progress in the negotiations and to discuss next steps. Michel Barnier provided...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot confirm that. The Chief of Staff is compiling a report for the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, on that. I can say that the Naval Service, which has about 1,000 personnel, is at about 92% strength at the moment. The Chief of Staff will prepare a report on that for the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe. The Government is a strong supporter of our Defence Forces. We value the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot yet confirm it for the reason I gave the Deputy - I have not yet received the report from the Chief of Staff.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister of State has spoken to the Chief of Staff and we are awaiting a report. There can be many reasons a vessel may not be able to sail.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: However, I can say there are 1,000 personnel in the Naval Service out of an establishment figure of 1,094.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Therefore, the Naval Service is at 92% strength. There are many reasons a vessel may not be able to sail.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: However, I can confirm that the Naval Service has been able to fulfil all of its duties in fisheries protection and interdiction, as well as its other duties, during the period.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy McDonald for the question. This is a very important matter, as everyone in the House will agree. The Government stands by the Good Friday Agreement and will defend its primacy. We see our role, as the Irish Government, as being co-defenders of that agreement. We should not forget all that has been gained from the Good Friday Agreement. It may not be operating as it should...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I have known Arlene Foster for many years. She is a woman I like and respect. I had the opportunity to be her counterpart for three and a half years when we were both responsible for tourism on the two different parts of the island and we worked very well together when the Good Friday Agreement was operating. I would say to any political party in Northern Ireland or, indeed, on these...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy Michael Collins for raising this issue which is of great interest in Cork, city and county. The Government supports the proposed redrawing of the boundaries for Cork city and county councils. We are ambitious for Cork which is our southern capital and second city. We want the population of Cork to grow by at least 50% by 2040. We want the population of Cork to grow twice as...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It is not intended that any services will be lost. People living in Cork county will continue to receive the services from their local authority that they receive now. In terms of revenue, there will need to be a compensation package. This must be worked out. It is the case that as a result of areas moving from what is now the county into the city, commercial rates could be lost to the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The national broadband plan aims to ensure every home, school, business and farm in Ireland, no matter how remote, will have access to high-speed broadband. Our ambition is for Ireland to become one of the first countries in the world to be able to do so. It is probably the most ambitious project for rural Ireland since the rural electrification scheme and will probably involve the biggest...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The rate stood at 52% when the Government of Fine Gael and Independent Members took office. It is now over 70% and will be close to 80% by the end of the year. The increase has been driven very much by the national broadband plan. Commercial investors knew that this was coming and got in ahead of it, put the infrastructure in the ground and provided broadband for homes. However, it will...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am confident that the process has been robust. The Deputy is correct to draw attention to this. It is important we get this right because it is an enormous investment that will run for 25 to 30 years. There is the expression, act in haste and repent at leisure. We need to ensure this process is robust. We are confident it is. It is new and unprecedented. That is what makes it...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I understand Science Foundation Ireland decides on how research funding should be allocated and that it does this on a competitive basis. When it does, some universities and research centres receive funding, while others, unfortunately, do not. I do not believe there is any substance to the suggestion that there is political interference, nor should there be. I will, however, ask the...