Results 28,481-28,500 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: However, this decision was made in 2012 on foot of expert advice and endorsed by the Dáil. It was made and the hospital project is well under way.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Over €250 million has already been invested and the satellite centre at Blanchardstown is almost complete. Children will attend there to receive state-of-the-art, top-class healthcare this year.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Construction of the Tallaght satellite centre will start this year and it will be open to children in 2020. In 2022 construction will be completed on the main campus at St. James's Hospital, with the hospital to be commissioned by 2023.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It is already under way and we are not going back.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I do not have an up-to-date note on that with me so I will ask the Minister to provide the Deputy with a detailed answer by correspondence. The last time I inquired good progress was being made in this regard, but there was some difficulty around sourcing the product and some consideration was being given to growing it here in Ireland.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Brexit Bill was approved by the Cabinet this morning. Subject to some minor drafting changes it will be published on Friday. However, the Tánaiste will brief party leaders, spokespersons and stakeholders on Thursday before publication on Friday. It is intended, with the co-operation of the House, to take Second Stage next week and to conclude it in the House in the week ending 8...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I do not have information on that to hand but I will ask the Minister for Health to correspond directly with the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: As Deputies will know, this is not a political decision; it is made in line with a statutory process under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. I understand that the committee met to consider a number of new medicines, including Kuvan, Spinraza and Translarna. The committee must consider the evidence as to whether a drug is effective; if so, how effective; and whether...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Two separate pieces of work are being done on the matter. The tribunal which will be an alternative to court for women who wish to claim medical negligence is being established on foot of the recommendations of Mr. Justice Meenan. It is one of only six items of legislation prioritised for this session. Work on it is progressing well and we anticipate that it will be brought before the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. It is very relevant, as we head into Brexit, that we do all that we can to assist the beef industry to diversify into other markets, including France and the mainland market in the EU. I am aware of the problems in Cherbourg. I will certainly tell the Minister, Deputy Creed, that it was raised here and I will have the opportunity to meet with...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Breathnach probably knows that the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, chairs the task force which was set up to improve mobile and broadband speeds and connectivity around the country. That was discussed at Cabinet this morning. The Minister of State should be in a position tomorrow to publish the report of the mobile phone task force, which will detail some of the actions taking...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Having been in Cabinet all morning and in the Chamber all afternoon, I have not had a chance to read the judgment or to hear the statement made by EirGrid, so I am afraid I am not in a position to comment on it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot say before reading the statement and the judgment and I have read neither yet. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Bruton, to provide the Deputy with a fuller reply as soon as he can.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I appreciate that there are very long delays for people who want to take their driver test in many parts of the country. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Road Safety Authority are working on reducing the waiting time for tests to less than 12 weeks. It is important to say again that the concept of the provisional licence was abolished a very long time ago. There are...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 14, inclusive, and No. 110 together. I met with Prime Minister May over dinner in Farmleigh House on 8 February when we briefed each other on our respective engagements in Belfast and Brussels that week. We discussed developments in Northern Ireland and our shared interest in seeing the devolved institutions restored. We also discussed possible...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: On Brexit, I assure the House that the Government is working towards securing the ratification of the withdrawal agreement including the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and the backstop. I think that is achievable. It may not be achievable in the next few weeks but it is achievable and we are working towards that. On what may happen if there is no deal on 29 March, we must always...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am going through them. That was not the Deputy's first question. In respect of no deal, we are making preparations at the ports and airports. We have control of land that we need at Rosslare and Dublin. We have control of Dublin Airport and will be able to enforce the acquisif we need to at the ports and airports. In respect of land borders, I have said many times in this House that we...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----when other countries that do the same things are not criticised. What is different or unique about Israel that it is single out for criticism when other countries that do the same things are not mentioned, are absolved or are even supported?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 to 20, inclusive, together. I travelled to Belfast on Friday, 8 February for a series of meetings with each of the five main political parties in Northern Ireland. I met with the DUP leader, Ms Arlene Foster, the vice president of Sinn Féin, Ms Michelle O'Neill, the UUP leader, Mr. Robin Swann, the Alliance Party leader, Ms Naomi Long, and Mr....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (19 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy will know by now that it is not my practice to organise meetings in the Chamber. Anyone who wants to meet me can seek a meeting in the normal way and it will be considered in the normal way. Talks were held last Friday in Belfast. All the major parties attended. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland was there, as was the Tánaiste. I was not present but the...