Results 29,321-29,340 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid that the Minster of State with responsibility for disability is not present to respond to the Deputy’s query, but I will certainly inform him that the issue was raised.

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: My heart goes out to the couple affected by these events. It is important to restate on the floor of the House that this is an individual matter. These matters are deeply personal and should be confidential. Although the Deputy may have access to individual medical or other information regarding a particular patient, I certainly do not have access to such information and will not discuss------

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Whether it was reported in The Irish Timesis beside the point. These are personal, private and confidential matters and it is not appropriate for us to discuss them in this Chamber.I am advised by the Minister for Health that steps are being taken to carry out an independent review of the case. Clinical guidelines are normally drawn up by doctors and their professional bodies. I will ask...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Freedom of Information Data (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. In 2018, my Department received 490 freedom of information, FOI, requests. Of these, 111 were granted, 243 were part granted, 46 were refused and no records were held in respect of 70 of the requests. A total of 20 requests were either transferred, withdrawn or handled outside of the Freedom of Information Act. From January...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Freedom of Information Data (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Howlin gave examples of some progressive legislation introduced by the previous Government - often by himself as Minister - relating to FOI, protected disclosures and the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. In time, people will see how progressive that legislation was, and many people now look to us as an example or world leader when it comes to some of that legislation, particularly...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Church-State Relations (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together. As I mentioned during the papal visit last year, I feel it is now time for us to build a new relationship between church and State in Ireland, one in which religion is no longer at the centre of our society but in which it can still play an important part. However, while I say things need to change, I would not like to see...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Church-State Relations (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I very much agree with Deputy Eamon Ryan's initial sentiments on this issue and I will consider whether we should include other thinkers in the dialogue in the meeting that is going to happen in July and whether we should precede that with some sort of debate here in the House as well. When I talk about a new covenant, I suppose what I mean is what I said at the time - a relationship in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Church-State Relations (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Sorry - 2019, this year. Given the number of parties and sites involved, it is not possible at this stage to give a definitive answer on some of the key issues, but the school board of management and the Minister of State have asked to meet the building unit in the next two weeks. The building unit has confirmed that this meeting will take place. On the issue of divestment, I am advised...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Digital Strategy Implementation (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 10, inclusive, together. Ireland and the world are undergoing profound change due to the increasing power and rapid diffusion of digital technologies. All areas of our lives are being transformed as these technologies become embedded in daily life, supporting greater connectivity and more personalised products and services. Technologies like...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Digital Strategy Implementation (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Action Plan for Online Safety, which was launched in July 2018, contains 25 targeted digital safety actions that will be delivered over 12 to 18 months. It seeks to balance the opportunities and benefits provided by the Internet with the need to ensure people are informed and supported to deal with the risks. The implementation of these actions is under way across relevant Departments...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Digital Strategy Implementation (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: We decided, in the interests of caution and prudence, to assume it is all on the balance sheet unless EUROSTAT decides otherwise.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Digital Strategy Implementation (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: That is the reverse of the mistake that was made in the case of Irish Water, when it was assumed that it would be off-balance sheet, but it was not.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Digital Strategy Implementation (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot answer questions on behalf of the former Minister, unfortunately. That is the current state of play.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Digital Strategy Implementation (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It is important to point out when we are speaking about the ownership structure that there are termination clauses. If the contractor does not deliver on certain milestones, the contract can be terminated. At that point, the fibre would revert to the State. If, after 25 years, the contractor does not want to continue to provide the service, there is the option to buy. It will be possible...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (21 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: In 2018 my Department paid €14,205 to Deloitte Ireland LLP for expenses incurred by a witness following receipt of a direction by Judge Brian Cregan, Sole Member of the Commission of Investigation established concerning the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, under section 24 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. This payment was in respect of a service provided by the company...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I do not think there is anything new in the fact that the composition of the consortium changed over time. That is all information we have all been aware of for many months. I was not at that dinner. No member of the current Government was at that dinner. The former Minister, Deputy Naughten, was but I cannot answer questions on his behalf. In any event I am confident that all of this...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: What I said was that National Broadband Ireland will make €220 million in working capital available upfront. This will be legally required by the contract, which is being finalised. No upfront contributions will be made by the taxpayer, and the taxpayer will only pay as the fibre is deployed and homes, farms, and businesses are connected. That €220 million is made up of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----and the rest from Granahan McCourt Capital.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: To answer the rest of the Deputy's question, the fact that Deputy Naughten attended those dinners is old news. It has been in the public domain for many months and we knew it last year. The Deputy resigned from Government over six months ago and we used the interim period to make sure this bid was sound and that it was the right one to go forward with. An independent report was conducted...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy needs to calm down.