Results 30,881-30,900 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar
- Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Supports to Former Taoisigh (27 Nov 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together. The provision of assistance to former taoisigh ceased in March 2012 following a decision by the then Government. I have since approved the provision of some services by my Department to former taoisigh to assist them in carrying out work associated with their former role that continues after their period in office has ceased. The...
- Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Supports to Former Taoisigh (27 Nov 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputies for their questions and contributions. Former taoisigh and Presidents have an ongoing role. It was mentioned that such an ongoing role can be beneficial to the country. Former President Mary Robinson was mentioned, for example, for her role in climate action and climate change. That is not just good for the world, it also reflects well on the country and we should be...
- Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Nov 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. I last met DUP leader Arlene Foster at the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies in Enniskillen on Sunday, 10 November, when we both participated in the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph and attended a remembrance service in St. Macartin's Cathedral. We also exchanged messages yesterday. In terms of Enniskillen, it was my second year to...
- Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Nov 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their questions and remarks. Deputy Howlin mentioned that he detected a significant shift in DUP policy on Brexit. I am not entirely sure if that it is the case. I watched "Newsnight" last night, which was broadcast from Belfast. I think many people did, and maybe they detected subtleties that I missed. Listening to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, he very much made the...
- Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Nov 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I visited Zagreb on 20-21 November. The programme for my visit included official meetings with President Grabar-Kitarovic, Prime Minister Plenkovic, and a reception hosted by our Ambassador, attended by representatives of the small and vibrant Irish community in Croatia. Unfortunately, due to a technical issue that delayed my arrival in Zagreb, it was not possible for me to meet with...
- Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Data (27 Nov 2019)
Leo Varadkar: My Department avails of a contract cleaning service as a temporary measure to ensure that service levels in my Department are maintained while a recruitment process for additional cleaning staff is undertaken. In this regard, a total of 3 contract cleaners have been engaged by my Department for varying temporary periods over the past 5 years. The costs per year are outlined in the table. ...
- Freagra ar Eascairí - Return of Writs: Cork North-Central, Dublin Fingal, Dublin Mid-West and Wexford - Introduction of New Members (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: Ar mo shon féin, ar son an Rialtais, ar son Fhine Gael agus ar son na Neamhspleáigh, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh na Teachtaí nua-thofa. To be elected to serve in Dáil Éireann is one of the greatest honours that our citizens can bestow on any of us, and has been since the first men and women were elected here 100 years ago. Today will be a memorable day...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for that. I am not familiar with that individual case nor is the Minister for Health, but we will certainly check it out. The Minister has undertaken to speak to the Deputy personally afterwards and take any documentation from him. We will see if we can look into it and see if anything that needs to be rectified can be rectified. Today will be another difficult day...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: Once again, I am not at all familiar with Ms Kiely's case. We will have to look into it. Not being familiar with the case, I cannot tell the Deputy how many cases are similar to it. I would not be able to answer that question. It might be worth sharing the six conclusions of the report with Deputies. The first is that cervical screening saves lives, including many of those women who...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: No. I do not accept that. The House will have its opportunity to make that decision, on behalf of the Irish people, this evening. Once again, I congratulate Deputy McDonald on her party's by-election success. Sinn Féin had a fabulous "get out the vote" operation. We will not be caught off-guard on that on the next occasion.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: It is not begrudgery at all.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: A "get out the vote" operation is a great thing to do and all parties do it. Sinn Féin just did it much better. It is a genuine compliment actually.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I think, however, that Sinn Féin should not over analyse the success, or congratulate itself too much. Across the four by-elections, my party won many more votes than Sinn Féin, and Fianna Fáil more still. The result was certainly no endorsement of Sinn Féin's policies.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I spoke with Deputy Dara Murphy over the weekend. Deputy Murphy is willing to co-operate with any investigation by any statutory body into his attendance in Dáil Éireann, be it the ethics committee, the Committee on Members' Interests or the Standards in Public Office Commission. It is right and proper that the Deputy should do that and he is willing to answer any questions they...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: It should be one handed over to the Standards in Public Office Commission and the next Dáil should have a different regime when it comes to expenses and to verifying attendance. This should be done independently and separately of this House. The time when we make rules for ourselves should end.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: The housing crisis is very real and it affects many of our citizens and our constituents, including people we know, in many different ways be it through high or unaffordable rents in some cases, be it the struggle to secure a mortgage and to raise a deposit to buy ones own hone, or the sharpest end of the housing crisis, which is rough sleeping and family homelessness. Rebuilding Ireland is...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: -----at the lowest level in many years.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: No, those are just the facts. I do not do figments.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. As he will see from the Exchequer returns being released today, the Government's reputation for competence around the management of the public finances is enhanced. As he will see, this year-----
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2019)
Leo Varadkar: Is enhanced. As he will see, this year we will record a budget surplus even greater than was projected on budget day. He will be aware that, only the other day, Standard & Poor's raised our credit rating. Therefore, the facts say otherwise - a surplus being recorded that is bigger than we anticipated on budget day and Standard & Poor's improving our credit rating in...