Results 35,061-35,080 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Decisions on access of partners at maternity hospitals are made, implemented and reviewed at hospital level. The decisions are informed by national guidance with due regard to local circumstances, including infrastructure, local rates of community infection and infection rates among members of staff. The HSE has advised that staff are endeavouring to maximise the attendance of partners...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Local authorities are responsible for the management of problems associated with coastal change and erosion in their respective areas, but there is a need for a long-term, co-ordinated approach to tackle the issues of coastal change and to provide a framework for key decisions to be taken on how Ireland can best manage its coast, being aware of the future risks and associated planning...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: We are keen to get that legislation done as soon as possible. It was delayed in pre-legislative scrutiny in the committee. I spoke to the chairman about that and I understand it may be advancing now. If we can get the Bill to the House in this session, we will. There had been delays in processing permits, but that is improving now. However, there is also a cap on the number of permits...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: State Properties (7 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: IDA Ireland is committed to building a new (second) Advanced Technology Building in Tralee. The site selection process is currently underway. Securing planning permission and the construction of the building will take time, but it is intended that the building facility will be delivered during the life of the current IDA Strategy 2021-2024. The advanced technology building may support...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Job Creation (7 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Central Pharma announced in December 2018 plans to establish an EMEA accredited contract packaging and supply centre at the IDA’s Advanced Technology Building in Tralee. I understand that the company has subsequently experienced some delays in progressing their plans, including in relation to the Covid-19 restrictions which delayed work on the site. However, I understand that once...

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Financial Resolution No. 1: Tobacco Products Tax (12 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I move: (1) THAT for the purposes of the tax charged by virtue of section 72 of the Finance Act 2005 (No. 5 of 2005), that Act be amended, with effect as on and from 13 October 2021, by substituting the following for Schedule 2 to that Act (as amended by section 26 of the Finance Act 2020 (No. 26 of 2020)): “SCHEDULE 2 Rates of Tobacco Products Tax (With effect as on and from 13...

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Financial Resolution No. 1: Tobacco Products Tax (12 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputies for their remarks and their contribution to the debate. It is important that we have a debate on this matter. Nobody should be pilloried for their views on this issue. It was interesting to hear the various arguments from different Deputies. The proposed amendments to Financial Resolution No. 1 would reduce the proposed increase in excise duty for tobacco which will apply...

Financial Resolution No. 2: General (12 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I move: THAT it is expedient to amend the law relating to customs and inland revenue (including value-added tax and excise) and to make further provision in connection with finance.

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Financial Resolution No. 2: General (Resumed) (13 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on budget 2022. I would like to share time with the Ministers of State, Deputies Damien English and Robert Troy. This is my second budget as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. We have experienced many ups and downs since I spoke last year, including a serious third wave of the virus and prolonged...

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Financial Resolution No. 2: General (Resumed) (13 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy was not here for my speech.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Data Centres (12 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: In June 2018, my Department published the Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Policy. The location of data centres in Ireland plays a significant role in Ireland’s technology sector, contributing to Ireland’s international reputation as a digital hub and as a high-quality investment location. Ireland has an extremely valuable...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Flexible Work Practices (12 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: From the outset of Covid-19, many employers have taken the initiative, in line with subsequent requests from the Government, to be as flexible as possible in allowing staff to work from home. On 31 August 2021, the Government published Reframing the Challenge: Continuing our Recovery and Reconnecting, containing updated guidance which took effect from 20 September 2021, as part of a...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: National Development Plan (12 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s priority NDP investments focus on optimal use of its capital investment to drive a jobs-led recovery and promote the longer-term capacity and reorientation of our economy. Whilst the revised NDP sets out the key physical infrastructure projects in transport, health, broadband and energy that will serve our society into the future,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (12 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together. This Government is committed to introducing a statutory sick pay scheme and work is well underway in this regard. Any move to introduce a statutory sick pay scheme must be balanced with the need to support the viability of the business and enterprise sector, thereby protecting jobs. Therefore, appropriate examination of all implications...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Data (12 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: There are nine State Boards under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and one Commission (the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission). Gender balance at board and senior leadership levels in Irish companies is a policy priority for my Department. The policy approach to date has focused on driving culture change in businesses, supported by voluntary...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Data (12 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: In response to COVID 19, the IDA migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms. The Agency has developed a suite of digital content and put in place an E-Site Visit experience which can be accessed by potential investors. As the Deputy will be aware, regional development is a priority in the IDA's new Strategy to 2024, with the aim of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Regional Development (12 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together. The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future commits to consider the potential of the Shannon Estuary in terms of regional economic development across transport and logistics, manufacturing, renewable energy and tourism, and develop a strategy to achieve this potential. I am finalising plans to establish the Taskforce to identify...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Contracts (12 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has a dedicated Procurement Co-Ordination Unit, with responsibility at Principal Officer level. The Unit assists internal business units and our Offices on a range of procurement matters, as required, so as to ensure that there is an appropriate focus on procurement best practice. The Department is also guided by various national and international (EU) procurement rules and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Vaccination Programme (12 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: There will be practical challenges facing employers, and employees, as more workplaces re-open and workers return to the physical workplace. In relation to the issue of employers determining the vaccination status of their employees the Data Protection Commissioner has made it clear that the matter of checking the vaccination status of an employee would require to be rooted in public health...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Company Law (13 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together. The recent revelations from Pandora Papers give rise to a number of questions which we need to get to the bottom of as they raise serious reputational concerns. The Government leaders decided that we would ask officials in the Department of Finance and in my Department to initiate work right away to examine these issues. On...