Results 37,381-37,400 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I honestly do not know, but I think the Deputy and I are both very much in favour of investment in Killybegs. It is an important harbour. It has a lot to offer, not just in respect of fisheries-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: -----but also in respect of offshore wind, but taxpayers' money should always be spent well. I do not know the answer to the Deputy's question but I will certainly ask the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, to come back to him directly.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I will definitely take that up with the Minister, Deputy Ryan. He and I are both in favour of double-tracking to Galway and the development of a commuter rail service around Galway city. I do not see why it should be held up by the all-island rail review. That is not the case for Cork or Limerick, so I do not see why it should be for Galway. We will check that out. I remain a supporter...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I am familiar with the case. It is a very sad one, and I hope Mr. Phelan is able to get back to Ireland as soon as possible. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, had a very lengthy call - I think it was nearly an hour long - trying to make the case on his behalf and to secure his release. I do not have any engagements with the Iranian Government...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I honestly do not know what the situation with refunds is, if there are to be any, so I will have to defer to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, on that. My understanding is that this was essentially like a bulk-buy discount. Somebody who buys things in large volumes will often get a lower price for them. That is not unusual. I was not aware that there would be any sort of rebate-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: -----but I will check it out.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I am familiar with the service. I was involved in setting it up with the then Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, when I was in the Department of Social Protection and she was in the Department of Justice. It is a very good service. It has probably been wound back in recent years because of the falling number of mortgage arrears, but the Deputy makes a...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I do not know the reasons for that. I will certainly make inquiries. I agree with the Deputy's point. If we are putting additional elective capacity and theatres into Ennis, Nenagh and Croom, for example, it makes sense to use them rather than building new ones, at least in the first instance. I have heard of similar issues. The surgical hub in Tallaght, for example, has four theatres...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I appreciate that this is a severe problem and that people need their cars, particularly in rural areas, whether it is to get to work or to college. This is a barrier we need to remove. We have managed to get on top of a few significant delays recently around passports and work permits and I am sure we will get on top of this too. I appreciate that the Deputy has reminded me of it again today.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: That definitely sounds like poor form. We need to recognise and reward those fans who turn up for those games that other people do not turn up for. I do not know all of the facts but I will let the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, know the matter was raised here and see if he can use his offices to lean on the FAI in some way.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I do not have an update on this matter since we last spoke but I appreciate that it is an enormous burden on a pregnant woman to have to fund this medicine herself. Hyperemesis gravidarum is a serious illness. This issue slipped off my agenda a little in recent weeks but I will ask my office to take it up again with the HSE and see if we can move things on.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: If that is the case, I am happy to withdraw.

Commission for Future Generations Bill 2023: First Stage (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: No.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. The programme for Government commits to establishing four citizens' assemblies on the topics of biodiversity loss, the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin, matters relating to drugs use and the future of education. The Citizens' Assembly on local government in Dublin has...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I anticipate the Government will consider the question of the next citizens' assemblies in the near future. Once a decision has been taken, we will promptly bring forward a proposal to the House for debate and resolution. Subject to the timely passage of the resolution, my expectation is that the next citizens' assemblies could commence as...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: -----and that is why there is room for different types of forestry.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I will take up the issue of the north inner city drugs and alcohol task force with the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton. She is new to her role, but I will ensure that she is aware of it and that progress is made on it.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 17, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services oversees implementation of the programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy and public services. The committee covers a range of topics in the areas of social policy with a particular focus on equality and integration and public service reform....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. At the outset, reports of the attack in Ashtown near the Tolka River are very disturbing. While I cannot comment on the specifics of the case, I condemn unreservedly any incident or threat of violence against vulnerable people in our society, particularly those from migrant backgrounds. People have the right to protest but they do not have the...