Results 29,761-29,780 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I am not. The Deputy has raised many important issues, including pensions, redundancy, decongregation policy and a question about an individual. I would not be able to do him justice by giving him an answer without having a better understanding of the issues he is raising. If he sends me something in writing, I will ensure the Minister of State with responsibility for...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I appreciate this is a very important local issue but there is no legislation promised on it, nor any specific programme for Government commitment.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It is best raised as a Topical Issue matter.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I understand it is intended to take all Stages next week.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot make any commitments in advance of the budget and will not be able to until 8 October. However, it sounds like a good and fair idea that the free travel pass be extended to those 700 people. There may be more to it than meets the eye, but I will certainly have the Ministers, Deputies Regina Doherty and Finian McGrath examine it to see whether it can be done.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: My understanding is that all statutory instruments have to be laid before the House within a particular timeframe, but I will check that out and correspond with the Deputy.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy raised a pertinent issue. We face labour and skills shortages across the economy in the public and private sectors. Whether it is carers who no longer have caring responsibilities, people in their 50s and 60s or migrants, we should do anything that we can to activate and assist people to join the workforce. Any suggestions that the Deputy has in that regard would be well received.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The Government recently approved its third programme for a partnership Government annual report, which provides a comprehensive analysis on progress since May 2018. Since its formation in 2016, the Government has been working in a unique political environment in the spirit of partnership to deliver our ambition for a better...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their questions. When the programme for Government mentions building fair and inclusive prosperity, there are a number of things which the authors, including me, had in mind. The first was that we would get to a point where there would be employment for anybody who wants it, and we are quite close to that point now, with unemployment down to 4.4%. We are...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----notices to quit from the private rental sector and issues around migration, for example. There is no Government that can predict the number of people who will enter into homelessness, any more than we can predict how many families will break down. What we can predict is the number of houses that will be built, particularly the number of houses that will be built by Government. We...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Commissions of Investigation (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Following consultations with Opposition parties by the then Minister for Finance, the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, IBRC, commission of investigation was established in June 2015. The commission is entirely independent in its work and Mr. Justice Brian Cregan is its sole member. The commission was originally due to issue its final report by the end of December 2015, at an estimated...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Commissions of Investigation (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Howlin asked about the number of modules so far. Only one module is currently being dealt with, namely that on Siteserv. I think there are 20 or 30, off the top of my head, but I will have to double check.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Commissions of Investigation (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: One is not yet complete and there are 27 yet to begin. The commission was established by the Oireachtas, largely on foot of demands from members of the Opposition. It is independent and is not being run or directed by the Government in any way. The time it is taking and the rising cost of the investigation demonstrate the real difficulty in carrying out inquiries into what are ultimately...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Administrative Arrangements (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 7, inclusive, together. The parliamentary liaison unit, PLU, was established in 2016. There are currently 3.5 whole-time equivalent staff working in the unit: one principal officer, 1.5 higher executive officers and one clerical officer. The make up of this current Dáil and the new procedures that have come into place as a result of Dáil reform...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Administrative Arrangements (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I will do my best. I do not have any direct involvement contact with the parliamentary liaison unit but I understand its main involvement is with Ministers rather than Deputies. It was established to perform a liaison function to help Ministers to be properly informed of the new responsibilities and procedures in the Thirty-second Dáil. In this regard, the main focus of the unit is to...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Administrative Arrangements (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The 11 do not include legislation superseded by Government legislation with the same objective. It is much higher if they are added. Article 17.2 of the Constitution requires a money message for any vote, resolution or law to be passed by the Dáil involving the appropriation of revenue or any other public moneys. The memorandum of understanding, MOU, between the Government and the...

Post-European Council: Statements (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I attended a series of meetings of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday, 20 June, and Friday, 21 June. On Thursday, we met all 28 European Union, EU, Heads of State or Government, to discuss a wide range of issues. We adopted the new EU strategic agenda for 2019 to 2024, and had a substantial exchange on climate action, as well as the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committee Meetings (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Cabinet Committee E last met on 22 November 2018. A date for the next meeting has not yet been 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. This year will see the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committee Meetings (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Cabinet Committee D works to ensure a co-ordinated approach in the areas of infrastructure investment and delivery, housing and climate action. The Cabinet Committee last met on 27 May 2019 and its next meeting has not yet been scheduled. Since then the Government published the Climate Action Plan, which aims to give Irish people a cleaner, safer and more sustainable future. This...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (26 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I travelled to Luxembourg following the European Council in Brussels on Friday 21 June. I had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Bettel, as well as engagements at the European Investment Bank and the European Court of Justice. Ireland and Luxembourg are, of course, like-minded on many EU matters and, in my meeting with Prime Minister Bettel, our discussions covered bilateral...