Results 36,981-37,000 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: I want to say at the outset that my main concern and that of the Government is for the staff and family members of the staff who are affected by the recent announcement of job losses in the tech sector. It is something that I have been working on with my colleagues very extensively in the last couple of days, as I am sure the Deputy can appreciate. I can give those staff the reassurance...

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

Leo Varadkar: That is a valid question. I do not have an update on the timing in relation to those cases. That matter is handled by the Minister of Finance rather than me as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Let us state the facts here. The European Court of Justice decided against the European Commission. The European Commission, or at least one directorate of the European Commission,...

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

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, the Finance Bill is going through the Houses. It will create the temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS, which will help businesses with the increased cost of electricity and gas. However, she is correct to point out that the scheme will only apply to businesses. It is run by the Revenue Commissioners and operates in the form of a tax credit. We...

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

Leo Varadkar: I am not entirely sure what the Deputy means by "cut to the bone". I am sure that, if I check into it, I will find that funding for those services has been increased year-on-year and will increase again next year. Leaving that aside, I agree with her fundamental point that energy prices are rising for everyone - households, businesses and voluntary bodies. We have acted to help...

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

Leo Varadkar: I would be happy to withdraw them because I do not particularly want to have a row with the Deputy over this, but I would like to note two points. She did not answer my question-----

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

Leo Varadkar: -----as to whether she applied a different standard to Sinn Féin.

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

Leo Varadkar: I also feel that Deputy Shortall impugned my character. I would like to put that on the record.

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

Leo Varadkar: Perhaps the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will rule on that, too. Second, I did note that, a little like the Leader of the Opposition, you challenge her and she threatens to sue you.

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

Leo Varadkar: I will withdraw it and replace it with the term "double standards".

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

Leo Varadkar: With respect, I have done it twice. "Purveyor of double standards".

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I do not know if it has all been spent yet, but I will make inquiries with the Department of Health and get the exact figures for the Deputy. It may be the case that it has not all been spent yet. I appreciate that far too many children are waiting far too long for the spinal surgeries they need, but I will point out that, since January, the waiting list for spinal fusions has decreased...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I did not have a chance to listen to that documentary yet but I intend to do so over the weekend. I extend my sympathy and solidarity to the very brave men who are former students of Blackrock College for coming forward in the way they did. This, of course, is a matter for the Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley. I will let her know that the Deputy raised this and I will ask the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: We have. They are aware. Their legal departments and their human resource departments are aware of their obligations under employment law.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. The Minister of State, Deputy Browne, raised this matter with me only last night and made me aware of the situation. My sympathies go to the families and to the people affected. We have a Red Cross scheme, which the Deputy will be aware of-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot next Tuesday night because the Dáil will be in session and I must be here. I will examine if it is possible to do so at some point.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: This is far from unprecedented. In fact, the current Taoiseach was also elected on a Saturday. It is not unusual for us to sit on a Saturday, on occasion.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: We are all paid anyway so none of us get any extra money for being here on a Saturday. There may be some additional costs in relation to ushers and support staff-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The alternative is for us to come back to the House on the Monday or Tuesday of Christmas week. It is no skin off my nose whether it is a few days one way or the other but I do not believe there is a major desire on the Business Committee, as I understand it, that we should sit during Christmas week.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The short answer to the Deputy's question is "Yes". Work currently being done by the Minister for Social Protection in moving towards pay-related benefits is not just about jobseekers; it could also apply to maternity benefit, paternity benefit, and illness benefit to better reflect the fact that if people are out of work for a temporary period, the money they get should better reflect what...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Nov 2022)

Leo Varadkar: We intend to hold the referendum to allow Ireland to join the Unified Patent Court. It is up and running. We would like to join it and we intend to hold the referendum on that, either next year but certainly no later than the local and European elections in 2024. That requires primary legislation in this House, which we are currently preparing.