Results 29,801-29,820 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The answer to the Deputy's initial question is "Yes". We are considering a revised and new approach to target areas of particular disadvantage in the State. There are a lot of programmes already, as the Deputy is aware, such as the local drug and alcohol task forces, DEIS in education, the school meals programme and the community enhancement programme. There is also €2 million set...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am sure the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, will publish that report in proper order. The Government very much acknowledges that we have real difficulties in our health service when it comes to recruiting and retaining staff, not just doctors but also nurses, midwives, therapists and others. Notwithstanding that, it is not acknowledged, and it should be acknowledged, that there are...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy mentioned the HSE report. It has not gone to Government yet so it could be difficult for me to answer that question as it is not a Government report and has not gone to Government yet.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I will certainly make inquiries about it. I do not see any reason it cannot be published, although there may be a reason I am not aware of as it is not a Government report.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot make a commitment on behalf of the Government to publish a report that is not a Government report. I will have to find out if there is a reason it has not been published yet.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: To answer the Deputy's question further, I think she accused me of being in denial about the facts. What we both did is this: the Deputy gave some facts which are true and I gave other facts that are also true.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I would ask Deputy Shortall to bear in mind that there is a bigger picture and, when we take her facts and my facts, we get to the truth. The Deputy is only talking about one set of facts.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I am not but I will make inquiries with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and ask him to provide the Deputy with an update on the project. I am encouraged that the Deputy is in favour of the interchange project because there had been suggestions from many of his spokespeople that he believed the roads programme aspect of Project Ireland 2040 should be reviewed.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy has yet to say which projects he wants to be reviewed.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: They want to know if the Deputy is going to cancel the roads programme.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: He said it should be reviewed but he refused to say which projects he wanted reviewed.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is well aware I do not control this House or the other House so I cannot make any commitments when it comes to the passage of legislation or the speed thereof. What I can say is that Ulster Bank, as everyone will know, is not a State-owned bank and is, in fact, a UK-owned bank. It is really important to point out that anyone whose loan is sold on by a bank retains all the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy knows, my preferred candidate for the position of European Commission President was Manfred Weber, the candidate of my party, and I fully appreciate that the preferred candidate for Deputy Howlin was Frans Timmermans, the candidate of his party. There is nothing wrong with supporting the candidates of one's own party group, and I would do that, just as Deputy Howlin did....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am coming to that. We came up with a compromise candidate, Ursula von der Leyen, the first female head of the European Commission, a really good candidate, a really experienced person, and somebody who comes from my own political family and who is known to many of us in government. The reason Mr. Timmermans did not have majority support in the European Council was that 11 countries did...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It has been the case for a very long in Ireland that when it comes to the reimbursement of new medicines the private system follows the public system and the private sector and health insurers only cover the cost of new medicines after the public system has decided to cover them for public patients. This is a new development. It is certainly not a welcome development. We are analysing what...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Tá an Bille réidh anois. Beidh cruinniú deireanach an Rialtais ann i gcúpla seachtain. Beidh plean againn an Bille a fhoilsiú ag an bpointe seo.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy raises a very serious and dangerous activity. It happens in my constituency and, I know, it happens in Deputy Shortall's constituency as well. There has been thought given to it. A cross-agency group was established in April 2018 to consider in detail the laws governing the issue. The cross-agency group has recommended the most effective response involves targeted enforcement...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The answer to both the Deputies' questions is "Yes" on both accounts. We currently have a political agreement between the EU and Mercosur. It will be about two years before we have a legal text. We will have an opportunity to vote on it but I certainly will not hesitate to vote against any trade agreement that I believe is not in Ireland's economic interest and will form alliances to block...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I would be happy to answer the Deputies' questions and charges if I am permitted to do so. The vast majority of people in Ireland own their own home. Approximately 68% of Irish people own their home and I want that to be a reality for people in their 20s and 30s too. That is why our housing policy is all based on the concept of home ownership, increasing supply and allowing people to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Jul 2019)

Leo Varadkar: We have to consult with the Central Bank about the legislation that the Deputies mention.