Results 29,681-29,700 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I ask the Opposition to also take account of that advice. It is disappointing that the WRC talks, which were aimed at averting the strike by up to 10,000 SIPTU members, concluded yesterday without an agreement. As we are aware, in early June, SIPTU announced that 10,000 members working as support staff in 38 hospitals and healthcare facilities would engage in industrial action for...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. The offer being made is appropriate. It is to begin phasing in the increases from November this year, notwithstanding the enormous budgetary constraints.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It is on top of a 2.75% increase already guaranteed under the public service stability agreement, increases to new entrants and the payment of annual increments. The next step should be referral to the Labour Court.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: If a dispute is intractable, we use the mechanisms the State has at hand.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: In the first instance, it is the WRC and if that does not work, it goes to the Labour Court. The management side has offered a Labour Court hearing on the dispute.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for her question. I did not say that the declaration of a climate emergency by this House was merely symbolic. The Deputy used the word "merely", so I guess that was merely disingenuous. I said it was symbolic but that symbols and gestures do matter but they have to be followed up with action. The climate action plan published last week outlines those actions clearly. ...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: A new Galway City Council was elected only in the last month. New councillors have been elected to it. Perhaps this is their opportunity to develop a master plan for the city, one that would be climate-proofed, that would provide for good amenities, public transport and extra housing of all forms. We need it to be of all forms: social, affordable, cost rental and homes for people to buy....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Any decision on changing the tax treatment of REITs is a matter for the budget and all proposals for the budget will be considered between now and decisions being made in October. It is always the case that we regularly review tax incentives and tax expenditures in advance of a budget. Regarding a rent freeze, we would certainly do it if we thought it would work but we do not think it...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am always willing to consider legislative proposals or proposals to amend our Constitution but we always need to be careful that we understand what the consequences will be and how they will work. For example, if somebody as a consequence of that found their land was significantly devalued, would the taxpayer have to pay compensation? All of those types of things would have to be...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. As I have not seen the documents, it is difficult for me to comment on them, but-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: That may well be the case, but I still have not seen them, which is why I cannot comment on them.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I argue that there was a considerable pause. We spent many months deliberating on the issue and exploring alternatives before coming to a Government decision to award preferred bidder status to National Broadband Ireland, NBI. Many months were spent in looking at all of the alternatives. I am curious that Eir is suggesting the project can be delivered for €1...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: That is a tax policy of my party and one we stand over. Anyone earning over €37,000 a year would benefit from it. The average person working full-time in Ireland now earns €47,000 a year. As such, it is not only middle-income people who will benefit; it will be people who earn less than the average income. Certainly, higher income earners will benefit too but the vast...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: That was Sinn Féin's policy. Its policy was to increase spending by even more than we increased it and to finance that through additional borrowing. It was to apply the maximum flexibility within the fiscal rules, which would have meant more borrowing and a rising deficit every year. There is a table on that in the document for the Deputy as well.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Government is very concerned about the absence of democracy in Sudan and the gross violations of human rights that have been happening in that country for a long time. It is very active on the issue, for example, through the Tánaiste's attendance at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. I would be happy to provide the Deputy with a written briefing that would set out the actions that...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid that I do not have an up-to-date update on that but I will make sure one is provided to the Deputy. The Government will publish an update of our no-deal contingency plans in early July but I will try to get the Deputy something before that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Eligibility for medical cards is means-tested in Ireland and always has been. However, more than 100,000 discretionary medical cards are provided to people who do not qualify based on means and who often have a particular illness. There was considerable variation from region to region in the past regarding how discretion was applied but that was standardised in more recent years. We did a...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: That matter was not on this week’s agenda as there are some ongoing discussions with the Defence Forces. I anticipate it will be at Cabinet next week.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The National Economic and Social Council, NESC, is an independent statutory agency operating under the aegis of my Department. The council analyses and reports on strategic policy matters relevant to Ireland's economic, social, environmental and sustainable development. The NESC is a valuable forum where economic, social and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (25 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I understand the decision as to whether a money message is required is one for the Ceann Comhairle and his office, rather than for Government. A key consideration by Government as to whether one is granted is whether the proposal has been costed. Do we have an accurate estimate of what it will cost, not just implementation costs, but also the broader cost to the Exchequer? Then, can that...