Results 26,901-26,920 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy knows, this is an ongoing issue that has been running for a few years now. It relates to the professional qualifications of pharmacy assistants who are not pharmacists but who have played a very valuable role down the years in filling in for pharmacists during their absence. Ultimately, however, it is a matter for the professional regulatory body rather than the Government....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There have been some delays in processing smear tests, given the very large number of women who went for a repeat test after the CervicalCheck controversy back in May and June. I understand those delays are now largely resolved. I do not see why the patient mentioned cannot have that retest done soon, unless there is perhaps some medical reason.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I do not know the details of any individual case, but if the Deputy gives the details to me or the Minister for Health, we can check up on it.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It is fair to say this whole process is novel and has not been done before. We will become one of the first countries in the world to provide high-speed broadband to every premises - every house, every business and every farm - in the entire country. This is a big undertaking, potentially the biggest investment in rural Ireland in the history of the State and perhaps the most important one...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I read that, yes.

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3 together. The devolved, power-sharing institutions are at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement and are the best means for achieving accountable, representative decision-making for all the people of Northern Ireland, and I am deeply concerned at the ongoing impasse in regard to their restoration. In my recent conversations with Prime Minister...

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I cannot give Deputy Micheál Martin the specific dates of my contacts with Ms Arlene Foster. We have each other's mobile phone number and have had for quite some time. As such, we are able to keep in touch regularly.

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I gave that information in my reply. We met a couple of months ago.

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I can. As I said, we have each other's mobile number. I do not have the exact date, but it was within the last couple of weeks. We were counterparts before, have each other's mobile number and can be in touch. We have been trying to organise a formal meeting for quite some time. We had a date which fell through and are trying to organise a new one. The truth is that the environment is...

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The same applies to the DUP, Sinn Féin or any other political party. We are not negotiating on Brexit with a UK or Northern Ireland political party; rather, we are negotiating with the United Kingdom in Salzburg.

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am confused. The constant interruptions make it difficult to remember what the question was.

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The last contact on Northern Ireland between the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May, and I was in Salzburg a week or so ago. All of our officials and senior advisers were there. As to what is being said in general about Brexit in the media, we need to understand there is a British Conservative-----

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On a contrary point of order, the written questions are indeed about Northern Ireland. They do not refer to Brexit, but I was asked about Brexit during the oral part of these questions. It regularly occurs that the questions in writing are about one topic but Deputies raise other issues verbally and I am then accused of not answering the question, even though it was not asked in writing....

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Perhaps the different Opposition leaders should have a debate among themselves as to what question they are asking me.

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It would certainly make it easier because what is written down are questions-----

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----about Northern Ireland, not Brexit. I am nonetheless happy to answer them as best I can in the time I am given.

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: However, when I am constantly interrupted and barracked, it makes it extremely difficult.

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I know but I am-----

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It is not my fault. I am doing my best.

Ceisteanna (Atógáíl) - Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I was asked about respect for the Good Friday Agreement. As I said, the Good Friday Agreement has two major philosophies, two component parts, behind it. The first is respect for the principle of consent, and we respect that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom until such time as the majority of people in Northern Ireland consent to a change. The...