Results 30,441-30,460 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their questions. We have not made a new impact assessment of the withdrawal agreement agreed to last week, but there have been quite a number of impact assessments made of different hypothetical scenarios. It may be possible to look at the data and apply them to the revised withdrawal agreement. We will do so. What is fair to say is that if the withdrawal...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 17, inclusive, together I spoke by phone with Prime Minister Johnson on Saturday, 19 October after the day's events in Westminster following which the UK requested an extension to the Article 50 process. I did not have any scheduled bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Johnson at the European Council meeting on 19 October but, of course, I did see him...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: On speaking to Prime Minister Johnson, he was very pleased that he got Second Stage of the withdrawal agreement Bill through the House of Commons last night by a very clear majority of over 30 votes. That was the first time in quite some time that anyone managed to get the House of Commons to vote for any clear plan on Brexit. It was a huge achievement by Prime Minister Johnson to get it...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I agree to that but it has not yet been agreed by the 27 member states. We may have to have an emergency European Council meeting over the course of the next few days to discuss it if consensus cannot be reached. If there is consensus, it can be done by written procedure. If there is no consensus, it will be necessary to meet. My bags are always packed for Brussels, and packed they are...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): European Council Meetings (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 32, inclusive, together. I attended the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday, 17 October and Friday, 18 October. On Thursday, agreement was reached between the EU and UK negotiators on the terms of a proposed revised withdrawal agreement. The European Council, when it met, heard from Prime Minister Johnson. It considered the proposed...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): European Council Meetings (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: PEACE+.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): European Council Meetings (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I have to check up on Deputy Calleary's question regarding an EU rainy day fund. There has not been any discussion of that at European Council level yet. It might be something that is being discussed at ECOFIN, so I would have to double-check with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, about that. Lots of different instruments, which we will all be aware of from our period in the...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): European Council Meetings (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Burton is probably correct. In fact, I am sure she is correct. I thank her. Regarding the Common Agricultural Policy, my assessment is that it is possible to ensure that it is fully funded for the next period. The Commission is proposing a 5% cut. Our objective is to get that cut reversed. I am not sure we can achieve that but that is going to be our negotiating objective for the...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): European Council Meetings (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It was. She was successful in getting a rebate but she got it for other countries too. Now that the UK is gone the question is if the rebate should continue. Then there is the whole issue around own resources; 80% of customs duties go straight to the EU budget. There are suggestions about a plastic tax or perhaps some other EU-wide taxes that could fill the hole in the budget, which we...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): European Council Meetings (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Howlin is correct; that did change, but it is not part of the withdrawal agreement, and it can change again depending on the composition of the UK Government. That was always the case. The Prime Minister, Mr. Johnson, is taking a different approach to the future relationship to the previous Prime Minister, Mrs. May, and a future Government may take a different approach to the...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: At the outset, I congratulate Deputy Haughey on his recent promotion.

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I attended the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday, 17 October, and Friday, 18 October. We began on Thursday by meeting the new President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, and we heard about his priorities for his term. We then discussed Brexit, first with Prime Minister Johnson, and then in Article 50 format, that is to say, as 27 member states. Over dinner,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Housing matters are primarily covered by the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure which works to ensure a coordinated approach to policy and delivery in the areas of infrastructure investment and delivery, Project Ireland 2040 and Rebuilding Ireland. There is significant work underway across each of the areas covered by the Committee through Government Departments, agencies and a range of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committee Meetings (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Cabinet Committee G (Justice and Equality) last met on 10 June 2019. Since then a new Cabinet Committee on Security has been established which deals with issues relating to justice, defence, Garda reform and national security. This Cabinet Committee was scheduled to meet on Thursday, 10th of October but the meeting was deferred as I travelled to England on that day to meet with the British...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: European Council Meetings (23 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I attended the European Council in Brussels on Thursday 17 October and Friday 18 October. On Thursday agreement was reached on the terms of a proposed revised Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK. The European Council agreed to endorse the revised Withdrawal Agreement which allows the UK to leave the EU in an orderly fashion. The European Council also approved the Political...

Death of Mr. Gay Byrne: Expressions of Sympathy (5 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Ar son Rialtas na hÉireann, ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh faoi bhás Gay Byrne, an craoltóir ba mhó tionchar i stair an Stáit. Bhí ardmheas agus gnaoi ag an bpobal air mar chraoltóir a chuir feabhas ar an saol agus ar sochaí na hÉireann i slite éagsúla. Ar an raidió agus ar an teilifís, thug sé guth ard do...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I say again that the threats made to the directors of Quinn Industrial Holdings are totally unacceptable, as is the violence perpetrated against Kevin Lunney. It is a question of the rule of law. Law and order must prevail in all parts of the country. I met the Garda Commissioner, with the Minister for Justice and Equality, on this matter only last week. I spoke to John McCartin twice on...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am not in a position to answer questions on behalf of the Garda Commissioner or the Garda. The Deputy would have to put that question directly to them and I am sure they would be happy to answer it.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy knows, a statutory agency would require legislation both north and south of the Border. That may be impossible currently for the various reasons that the Deputy knows.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It could take much time. We need practical co-operation between the PSNI and the Garda. Perhaps there could be a joint investigation; I discussed this with the Garda Commissioner and he said he would examine the practicalities of doing this. That can be done quite quickly. We need more resources in the Border region for the Garda, and that is being done. An extra 100 gardaí have...