Results 30,621-30,640 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Legislative Process (12 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below. Table 1: money messages issued 2016 Garda Síochána (Amendment)(No.2) Bill 2014 Parole Bill 2016 2017 Competition (Amendment) Bill 2016 Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Reports (12 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: No post-enactment reports have been published by my Department since March 2011 as no relevant legislation was enacted in that period.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Consultancy Contracts (12 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has no contracts with external companies to advise on human resources, public relations, legal, financial or other policy matters.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Offices (12 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: My Department does not occupy any accommodation outside Dublin city.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Freedom of Information Data (12 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: As part of its FOI publication scheme my Department maintains a FOI disclosures log on the gov.ie website containing details of the non-personal freedom of information requests that were granted or part granted by my Department. In keeping with its policy to update the disclosures log on a quarterly basis, my Department last updated its FOI disclosures log in October with details of the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Advertising Campaigns (12 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: This current Be Winter Ready campaign is the ninth campaign launched by the Office of Emergency Planning, which my Department supports through it's membership of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning. The campaign aims to assist households in preparing for severe weather, and coping with it when it actually happens. The Government Information Services' role is to provide...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: We all agree that crimes against children are among the most heinous. Crimes of a sexual nature against children are particularly unspeakable. As a society, we need to do all we can to protect children and bring perpetrators to justice. I understand tonight's edition of "RTÉ Investigates" will cover some cases of historical abuse in scouting organisations from the 1970s and 1980s. It...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is correct that when it comes to matters such as this and crimes of a sexual nature against children, it is not adequate for an organisation to investigate itself. Of course, other investigations may get under way, such as a Garda investigation because these are crimes which can be prosecuted. We need to bear in mind that this abuse occurred in the 1970s and 1980s-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----in organisations that no longer exist, having been replaced by Scouting Ireland. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, commissioned former Senator Jillian van Turnhout to undertake a review of governance and safeguarding in Scouting Ireland in May 2019 and Ms van Turnhout made several recommendations that have been implemented in full by Scouting Ireland. I will...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I wish to congratulate the Garda on its swift action to prevent rioting and criminal damage in Cork. I do not think there were 100 masked youths on the street. The matter is under investigation, but I do not think that is quite what happened. Certainly, the Garda acted swiftly to prevent any crimes being committed or criminal damage being caused. It is a very good example of policing...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I have not yet had the opportunity to do so, but I will the next time I meet the Garda Commissioner.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: We meet regularly in the context of the Cabinet sub-committee on security. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, meets the Commissioner more regularly than do I and has already raised the issue with him on behalf of the Government. The Deputy referred to statistics. I am a believer in science - this is Science Week - and I like...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: That is so. I will provide other statistics which also have people behind them. In the past year, burglaries are down by 10% nationwide. We should welcome that. The decrease is to be encouraged, particularly in rural areas where we are seeing a significant reduction in burglaries because of action the Garda has taken. In the past year, murders and homicide offences are down by 40% as a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I agree with the Deputy. On whether the GSOC report can be provided to the family, as he knows, GSOC operates independently of Government and independently of the Garda. However, we will make inquiries as to whether it is possible to share that with the family. At the very least, if there is some reason it cannot be shared, the family should know why. I take this opportunity to express...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy mentioned the issue of CCTV, which is not quite ubiquitous, but is very commonly present in buildings and on our streets. CCTV is a force for good. It deters crime and enables us to prosecute criminals where crime takes place. It is regulated by law. For example, the Garda Síochána Act 2005 regulates both Garda CCTV and community CCTV in public areas. I know Deputies...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: There is a lot of talk about climate action and a little bit of hot air too. I believe we need action, actual policy decisions, changes being made and led by Government but also by communities and business individuals as well. I will give one or two examples of major policy decisions and actions taken by the Government in the past six to eight weeks when it comes to climate action.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: If the Deputy would give me 30 seconds at least I will come to answer his question. In the past couple of weeks, a decision was taken to take peat off our electricity grid, many years earlier than originally intended. It is not an easy decision for the midlands and is a big test of the just transition. It was a difficult and right decision taken by Government and State agencies. A total...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The additional carriages that we have ordered for the commuter lines to Kildare, Drogheda and Maynooth, which will increase the capacity on those lines by 34% in 2021 to the benefit of my constituency and others, and MetroLink, which is making a lot of advances. As the Deputy mentioned one road project I think it is only fair that I mention some of the many public transport projects that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I will be very frank with the Deputy. I am a former transport Minister and I have a great interest in transport and continue to keep up to date with it as much as I can. I met the Secretary General of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, only last week to talk about some of these projects. This must be one that is only being examined because it was not even on the agenda. It...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am not familiar with this particular dispute but I will ask my people to check into it. I will send the Deputy a reply in writing.