Results 28,181-28,200 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: As stated earlier - I appreciate that I am repeating myself but the questions are the same so it is only reasonable that I be allowed do so - those of us on the Government benches have no doubt about the strength of feeling among nurses and midwives regarding their terms and conditions. We have no doubt at all about their resolve and their willingness to strike and strike again. We also...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I have met Patricia King and I have spoken to her about this issue. I would have no difficulty meeting or speaking to her again. That is the way we engage with the trade unions. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, and I, as Head of Government, engage regularly with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, on issues such as this. Such engagement will continue.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Yes.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It is not my practice to organise meetings in the Chamber and I do not think the Deputy-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----should be organising meetings for third-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The timeline we discussed last week when I convened a meeting of the party leaders stands. We expect to have that legislation ready for publication on 22 February, which will give us more than a month to bring it through these Houses.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: This afternoon.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: A very brief one.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: There are a number of different instruments that we can use should we have to and should we end up in a no-deal hard Brexit scenario. For example, for farmers in the agrifood sector, the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, already provides the common organisation of the markets, CMO, regulation, which allows for emergency aid for farmers if their markets are cut off. For example, when the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I know the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, is working very hard on that particular matter with the intention of finding core funding for the Irish Deaf Society to make sure it can continue its work. He will meet with and regularly meets with Down Syndrome Ireland to discuss its concerns.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I will certainly ask the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, to examine whether a paper option can be provided. I am sure that can be done although I recall that when we brought in free GP care for over 70s that 97% of people over 70 were able to apply online. When people are getting a benefit or an increase in their pension they are generally able to apply online but perhaps a paper option...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The budget for roads is increasing considerably this year. However, it is also open to local authorities to use their income from rates, property tax and other sources to fund projects. I do not have any information to hand regarding the Bandon bypass. If the Deputy wants to raise it either when questions are being taken by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport or as a Topical...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I understood that there were still paper forms available for people applying for a medical card or its renewal. I will double-check that and correspond with the Deputy on it, by paper.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The recruitment of additional testers will happen and that will reduce the waiting times for a driver test. However, there are many cancellations around the country every day and if somebody has a pressing need, especially if he or she needs a full licence for work, he or she can contact the Road Safety Authority and those cancellations can be made available.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: There has been a substantial increase in funding for home care packages for 2019. Unfortunately, I am unable to answer Deputy Crowe's question in any other way. If, however, he would like to provide me or perhaps the Minister for Health with more details, I am sure we could give him a better answer.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. I last met the DUP leader, Ms Arlene Foster, on 15 October, when we discussed a range of issues, including the current political situation in Northern Ireland and Brexit. At our meeting I emphasised the Government's full commitment to all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement and our continuing determination to secure the...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am, of course, very aware of the votes which took place in the House of Commons last night and I will speak to Prime Minister May by phone again this afternoon. We scheduled a call yesterday and that call will take place this afternoon in light of the position the UK Government took yesterday to support the Graham Brady amendment and in light of the two votes which occurred last night...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: That, of course, may change. People in Northern Ireland who have Irish passports and are Irish citizens will continue to have the rights that EU citizens have, that is the right to travel freely and to reside and work in any part of the European Union. That is something that, unfortunately, UK citizens may not have in a few weeks' time. EU citizens and Irish citizens in Northern Ireland...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together. The remit of Cabinet committee C covers EU and international issues, including Brexit, and assists my participation as a member of the European Council. It last met on Thursday, 21 June 2018, in advance of the European Council meeting on 28 and 29 June 2018. It was the third such meeting of this Cabinet committee. The next...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (30 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Sure. I agree with the Deputies that Cabinet committees serve a purpose, but my preference is to use the Cabinet itself as much as possible to discuss matters of major importance. Meetings are longer and more frequent than they would have been in the past. We regularly have two meetings in a week, which allows us to be focused and not to have to come out tired and looking grey, which I...