Results 29,041-29,060 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy and I acknowledge his long-standing interest in issues affecting the Traveller community ranging from housing to healthcare. I do not have an update on that to hand but I will mention the Deputy's raising of the issue to both the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, and the Minister, Deputy Harris, and will try to get the Deputy a better reply.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy and I believe the credit for the consolidation of the accident and emergency departments in Cork belongs to the Deputies to his right, not to any Government led by my party. When it was done, however, I am sure it was done for the right reasons.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: We increase the budget for ambulance services every year as the Deputy is aware, which has occurred for the past four years. That provides for additional pay for staff, additional staff, new ambulances and ambulance spaces. I do not have any information specifically on west Cork but I will mention to the Minister for Health that this issue was raised here today.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. While I appreciate that this is an important local issue, it is a local issue and I am dealing with questions on promised legislation. No legislation is promised on this matter.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister for Education and Skills is currently in the Seanad but I am advised by Deputy Heydon, who is very much across this issue and has been very much engaged with the Minister for Education and Skills on this issue, that those responsible expect to go to pre-qualification of tender very soon.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The PwC report on the cost escalation at the national children's hospital will be published today. Indeed, it may have been published already. I think it probably has been published in the past hour. Any decision to debate the report in the House will be a matter for the Business Committee. I am sure it would be appropriate to do so although I imagine the best step would be for the Joint...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy Neville for raising this important issue. I know the cost of insurance is of great concern to people. We have made some progress in bringing down motor insurance premiums and stabilising health insurance premiums, but there is more to be done for public liability and business insurance. I am unsure exactly where we are on the claims database. I met the Minister of State at...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, together. I met Donald Tusk in Dublin on 19 March. The focus of our discussions was on Brexit, ahead of the European Council which took place in Brussels later that week, on 21 and 22 March. We exchanged views on political developments in the United Kingdom. We agreed that the best way to ensure an orderly withdrawal and protect the Good...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy McDonald asked me about President Macron's disposition towards an extension. I am always reluctant in this House to act as a spokesperson for a Head of Government or, as in this case, Head of State, of another country. I do not want to misquote or misrepresent him in any way but I think it is fair to say he is certainly open to it. I have no reason to believe, despite some...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 17, inclusive, together. I was pleased to welcome Chancellor Merkel to Dublin on Thursday, 4 April. We had a very constructive and friendly meeting at Farmleigh House and our discussions focused mainly on Brexit, looking ahead to tomorrow's special European Council meeting. Chancellor Merkel has been a strong and consistent ally of Ireland throughout...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Picking up on some of the questions I missed earlier, Deputy Boyd Barrett mentioned that the leader of the UK Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, wants to see dynamic alignment between the UK and the EU when it comes to workers' rights and environmental standards. That is something we would welcome and support too. Part of what the European Union is all about is preventing a race to the bottom....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 26, inclusive, together. I travelled to Belfast on 1 March to deliver a keynote address at the Alliance Party conference dinner. I emphasised the Government's commitment to being fair and impartial in working with all parties in Northern Ireland and particularly with individuals, groups, civic society, civic nationalism and civic unionism. I met...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Government is following the DeSouza case very closely. I have not raised it personally with the Prime Minister, but I believe the Tánaiste has raised it with his counterparts in discussions. As far as the Government is concerned, the Good Friday Agreement is explicit on this matter. People have the right to be British or Irish or both and to be accepted as such. That applies, and...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Tomorrow I will attend a special meeting of the European Council in Brussels. This meeting, which will take place in Article 50 format, was convened by President Donald Tusk following the rejection of the withdrawal agreement by the UK Parliament on 29 March. At the last European Council, on 21 March, we agreed to extend the Article 50 deadline until 22 May, provided the withdrawal...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: We might endorse somebody. You never know.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together. In Washington D.C. I had a series of political discussions and meetings, including with President Trump, Vice President Pence, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Patrick Leahy and Congressmen Richie Neal and Peter King. In each meeting, we discussed the Ireland - US bilateral relationship, including the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committee Meetings (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Cabinet Committee E last met on 22 November 2018. A date for the next meeting is being scheduled. In addition to the meetings of the full Cabinet and of Cabinet Committees, I often meet with Ministers on an individual basis to focus on particular issues. In this regard, I meet regularly with Minister Harris to discuss issues relating to our health service. The Government’s continuing...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Functions (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together. The EU Policy Coherence Unit in my Department works to ensure whole-of-government coherence in cross-cutting EU policies, providing overview and strategic focus in areas including the Union’s budget (MFF), eurozone matters, the internal market, trade and the European Semester. It is part of the EU Section which assists me in my...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Appointments to State Boards (9 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I appoint members to two State Boards under the remit of my Department - the NESC and the National Statistics Board (NSB). I have limited discretion in these appointments as in certain cases, per the relevant legislation, members are nominated by other bodies. Of the appointments that I have made since I became Taoiseach and have had discretion over, three of the five were female (60%). On 8...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I also offer my sympathies to the people of Paris and of France and indeed to all Catholics around the world following the devastating fire which destroyed Notre-Dame Cathedral yesterday. For almost 700 years the iconic cathedral has survived war, rebellions and revolutions, and it will survive this, but the Irish people and the wider Catholic community are heartbroken by the events of...