Results 36,961-36,980 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: National Standards Authority of Ireland (8 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is an independent agency, under the aegis of my Department. As part of its remit, NSAI carries out a range of operational functions, some of which are in areas which fall within the lead policy responsibility of other Departments. In this context, NSAI carries out activities in relation to construction products, which is an area within the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Staff (8 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: My Department operates an Advanced Payment of Fees Scheme (APF), where on an annual basis employees are invited to apply for funding to undertake third-level studies appropriate to the business mandate of the Department. According to records held in my Department, no funding has been provided to any employee under the APF Scheme or the preceding Refund of Fees Scheme to undertake the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I agree there is a housing emergency and have said so in the past. I agree there is a housing crisis, which is a term I have used in the past. However, competing with each other to find new and more dramatic words to describe the housing challenge does not build any houses or solve problems for any of the people the Deputy mentioned in his contribution. What we require...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is right about something. My party has been in office for the past 12 years. In fairness to Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, they have not been in office for so long - only three years. However, there is no party in this House that has been in office on this island more than the Deputy's party. Sinn Féin has been 20 years in office on and off in Northern Ireland, with...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: That is true when it comes to ethics. It is true when it comes to finances - both Sinn Féin Deputies' personal finances and that party's finances - as well as its policies.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I agree that we should review and strengthen the powers of SIPO with regard to its remit when it comes to standards and ethics. I am totally in favour of that and that work is being done at the moment led by the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath. I anticipate that we will see legislation next year to enhance and strengthen the role of the standards commission, which is something I strongly...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I know; that is my point.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: Those standards are fine when they come from the left.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: That is absolutely my point. I thank the Deputy.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I expect we will see that legislation next year. I agree that we need to strengthen the powers and functions of the standards commission. When it comes to ethics, standards and codes of conduct, I do not believe it is the role of any standards commission to investigate the political decisions or actions of Ministers. That is a different thing. Ministers are responsible to the Dáil...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Social Democrats is a party of the left. It has lower standards for people who are on the left. The Deputy said on radio that I should not serve in government just because I was under investigation even though I have subsequently been cleared.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: Why will the Social Democrats not apply the same standards for Sinn Féin? When the Deputy is doing future interviews, I hope journalists this will press her on this matter.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: It is because you are a hypocrite, Róisín. You are a hypocrite, that is why.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: Just like Sinn Féin, you sue your opponents now.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: That is the latest thing.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: Yes, that is the latest thing.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: Let us move on.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: It is a fair question.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: Of course not, because-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: It is double standards. It is okay to be dodgy if you are on the left.