Results 2,701-2,720 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: When it concludes.

FÁS Investigation. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: Question 64: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has full confidence in the chairman and board of FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45383/08]

FÁS Investigation. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: I note the Tánaiste did not answer my question which asked if she had full confidence in the chairman and the board of FÁS. Without impugning the character of any individuals, it is important the question is answered. I appreciate from the Tánaiste's remarks that there is at least some expression of regret from her for having given full backing to the director general of FÁS in June,...

FÁS Investigation. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: The reality is that this has been going on for a long time. There have been reports from the European Commission, internal audit reports, reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General, whistleblowing letters and concerns raised in this House. The only reason any action was taken in recent months is that information was given to us and to others under the Freedom of Information Act. This...

FÁS Investigation. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: It has not achieved very much.

FÁS Investigation. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: It is a fact.

FÁS Investigation. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: Which has been breached by the agency in the past.

Small and Medium Enterprise. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: On a point of order, am I correct in assuming the Minister of State should be replying to Question No. 67?

Small and Medium Enterprise. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: I apologise to the Minister of State.

Industrial Relations. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Tánaiste for the answer. It is fair to say a decision has yet to be made on that matter. It was important to have a deal at Aer Lingus. Unions and employers have come together to make an agreement that I hope will save the airline and allow it to continue as an independent airline. I have a concern that the taxpayer might effectively subsidise bogus redundancy arrangements...

Industrial Relations. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: Did the Department give prior assurances?

Departmental Bodies. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: I look forward to reading the balance of the reply. The purpose of this question is to ensure that given the poor oversight of FÁS actions are being taken by Government to ensure we do not have similar activities in other agencies. I am happy to hear that work is being done in this regard. I am not aware of any waste or particular allegations with regard to these agencies but a cursory...

Departmental Bodies. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Penrose just wants to borrow another €2 billion. That would definitely work.

Departmental Bodies. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: It is not the activity but the result that matters.

Redundancy Payments. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: This relates to the previous question on Aer Lingus. Will the Minister confirm that no preliminary view was given or sought from the Department with regard to these redundancies?

Redundancy Payments. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: Did it give a preliminary view?

Redundancy Payments. (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: Accepting the caveat outlined by the Minister, that a preliminary view was given on the initial proposal, what preliminary view was given by the Department?

Consumer Issues: Motion (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: I took the 7.38 a.m. train from Coolmine Station this morning. I try to use public transport as often as possible but sometimes the will does not meet the expectation. It is the first time I have travelled on this particular train for some six weeks and I immediately noticed that there was plenty of space in the carriage. My first thought was that additional carriages had been provided,...

Consumer Issues: Motion (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: The Government welcomes the recent decision of the Commission for Energy Regulation not to increase the price of gas and electricity. The reason for recent significant increases in those prices was the rise in commodity prices. That upward trend is now turned on its head, with commodity prices falling back to where they were 18 months ago. Yet the Government celebrates the fact that there...

Consumer Issues: Motion (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Leo Varadkar: The Government's counter-motion includes a reference to reducing the burden of regulation on business. I acknowledge that the Government is making some effort in this regard but, at the same time, it is taking other actions to increase it. We are given a mythical target of 25%, but this cannot be achieved if one does not know what is the baseline. Given that there has been no analysis of...