Results 28,301-28,320 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I explained it earlier. Deputy Micheál Martin referred to it "getting out". It got out in December because we disclosed it. The Government made a decision-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----to allocate €1.4 billion to cover the construction costs of the children's hospital. There was no secret about it; we disclosed it publicly in December, before Christmas. On the referendum on voting rights for citizens abroad, we had a-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: There was a memo before the Cabinet on the issue today. We agreed that we would proceed with a referendum to extend voting rights to all citizens, no matter where they lived, be it Northern Ireland or other parts of the world. It will not only be passport holders. It will be all citizens because some citizens do not have a passport or cannot afford one or perhaps cannot travel. We have...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I did not give the full answer to the question I was asked earlier. The total salary cost is €1.16 million and the average salary is a little under €50,000. I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 14, inclusive, together. I attended the 2019 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos from 23 to 25 January. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, also attended....

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I do not have the exact costs for the delegation to Davos. There was a delegation of five. Accommodation costs were approximately €7,000. The Government jet was used so the only added cost was fuel and car transport from Zurich to Davos. I like broadcast media because anyone interested can get to hear the question and answer in full and, therefore, know the context. In Davos, I...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Given the response and reaction from some quarters here, one would swear the whole thing was my idea.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Deputies will understand why I will avoid answering hypothetical questions in future. We have not made any preparations for physical infrastructure on the Border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. No matter what happens, deal or no deal, the European Union and Ireland will do everything that we can to avoid a hard border emerging on our island. I am amused by Deputy Micheál...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I answered that question and will continue to answer it.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I met the Polish Prime Minister who confirmed that the views expressed by the Polish Foreign Minister were not the views of the Polish Government, and that the foreign Minister had been trying to find a solution to the impasse we now face. Ireland and Poland are much closer on Brexit than some people may believe. Poland is very close to the UK and they have a very strong security...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Data (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The EU section of my Department assists me in my role as a member of the European Council, and in my other EU and international engagements. It also advises me on EU policy matters and works to ensure a coherent whole of Government approach. The section provides advice and briefing relating to my EU related engagements, including meetings of the European Council and other EU summits,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: National Children's Hospital Expenditure (6 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The first time it was brought to my attention that there would be a cost overrun in the national children’s hospital was on 9 November 2018. This was a brief conversation in the context of a wider discussion on health policy. However I was not advised of the full extent of the overrun at that time and I asked the Minister for Health for full information.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I fully understand and appreciate that taxpayers are very annoyed at the way the cost of this project has escalated. I do not doubt that for a second. This is not, however, an issue of taxpayers' money being wasted. In fact, taxpayers' money has not even been spent at this stage. Only about €250 million of the €1.5 billion allocated to this project has been spent. It is not...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----but not accept responsibility when things go wrong and when there are overruns, as is the case on this occasion. We accept responsibility and we are accountable for what has happened. The figure used by the Deputy of €1.7 billion relates, as I have stated previously, to many aspects of the project that would happen in any event, including investment in IT and equipment. Even...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is correct that one of the reasons the children's hospital project has increased in cost is construction inflation. It is not the only reason but it is certainly one of the major ones as to why the cost is much higher than we had anticipated. The contract provides that further claims can be made by the contractor if construction inflation exceeds 4% but we will have to see if...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I have been following this debate very closely in the past couple of weeks and it seems that virtually nobody is opposed to building a new national children's hospital. While it has been promised for decades by successive Governments, it is now being delivered. It is under construction, with the first phase due to open in Blanchardstown next year and the final project due to be completed by...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for her question. I am heartened by the newfound interest of Sinn Féin in taxpayers' money. This is the party that regularly before the budget every year proposes €2 billion to €3 billion in extra taxes to be imposed on workers and on businesses. It proposes an extra €2.3 billion every year, not €400 million spread over three or four...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Cabinet decided this morning to re-profile about €100 million in expenditure and infrastructure. It is important to put that into context. The budget for infrastructure for this year is €7,000 million. That is an increase of €1,500 million on last year so we are re-profiling €100 million of an increase of €1,500 million. It does not affect or change...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The payment will not now fall due this year.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: However, should Sinn Féin and others take up their responsibilities in government, form an Executive and approve the project, we will find the money to proceed with it this year. As those in Sinn Féin have failed to take up their responsibilities to deliver infrastructure projects, that €27 million payment we were to pay to the Northern Ireland Executive will not fall due...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Department of Education and Skills, which is contributing €10 million to the cost of a school for the new children's hospital, is willing to bring forward that payment to this year. When it comes to the funds for Project Ireland 2040, the next drawdown and announcement, as I imagine Members opposite will not be sad to hear, will be deferred by a number of weeks.