Results 38,261-38,280 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The causes of the housing crisis are multifactorial. I have gone through those factors on many occasions, but I have never blamed the Opposition for it-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: -----or the Government for it. Both those analyses are far too simplistic. However, I have criticised people for objecting to housing developments.I will continue to do that. It is clear that we cannot fix the housing crisis without increased supply of all types of housing.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: When I see people oppose housing developments because they involve one-bed units - such units are the most needed form of housing, particularly in Dublin - I have a problem with that. That I blame the Opposition for the housing crisis is not true. I have not done so. That is not what I think and it does not stack up.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I know that Deputy Durkan has raised this matter a number of times, and we have spoken about it one to one. The issue is alienation and how courts treat it when it comes to family law. I have a genuine difficulty in that I am not sure what the Government can do when it comes to how the courts operate, but I will certainly speak to the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General about the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I have not spoken to the Minister of State about this particular matter, but I did speak to him some weeks ago. I understand he is trying to make arrangements to make a statement in the House. I am confident that he has not breached that aspect of the Act. I have been a member of a local authority, as I think Deputy Farrell has. Because this is a reserved function, only a full meeting of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, made an announcement in the past couple of weeks in respect of additional special places in mainstream schools and additional special schools, I think, in Dublin and Cork, but not west Cork. I do not know if that will provide a solution for the young man the Deputy mentioned. I will certainly ask the Minister of State to contact the Deputy directly to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: In many ways that is the point. This is a Parliament, not a kangaroo court. While the Deputy is a Member of Parliament and I am too, he does not have the authority to decide who has committed a crime and who has not. Nor does he have the authority to investigate it. If an allegation is being made of a criminal nature, there is a proper process by which an investigation can be carried out...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I also welcome the fact that motor insurance premiums are continuing to fall. I think they have fallen about 40% or 50% from peak now. I would like to see the same happening when it comes to business insurance. Employer's liability and public liability have not come down and that is disappointing. The fact that there are so many uninsured drivers on the road is a cost for everyone,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I am pretty sure the carbon tax increase in May does not apply to petrol and diesel, it applies to solid fuel and kerosene. I will double-check on that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: On special provision for students who have epilepsy, it is an important issue and I thank the Deputy for raising it again. It would be a matter for the State Examinations Commission and for the Minister, Deputy Foley. I will ask her office to contact the Deputy directly. I appreciate the exams are coming and it is important to make provision for people. There is an investment programme...

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Financial Resolution (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I move: That provision be made in the Act giving effect to this Resolution, in the manner and to the extent specified in that Act, to provide for the charging, in accordance with regulations made under that Act by the Minister for Justice, having consulted with the Garda Commissioner and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 1 go 9, go huile, le chéile. Our national security is always a primary concern for the Government and we are carrying out substantial work in building and sustaining our security and capabilities across several sectors, including justice, defence, the economy, energy and cyber. The continuing threat from republican paramilitaries is a priority...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputies for their questions. At the outset, to be very clear, the Government has no proposals to apply for NATO membership or join any military alliance or mutual defence pact. I am happy to give that assurance in the Chamber today. We are, however, a NATO partner for peace, we are involved in the European Union's battle groups, and we are part of the European permanent structured...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I am not familiar with that EU funding so I cannot answer the question.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I know, but I do not know the answer to every question and am not familiar with any EU funding of that nature.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: On the consultative forum on international security policy, the Tánaiste announced last week that the Government plans to have a consultative forum on international security policy. It will take place in June and aim to build a deeper understanding of the threats faced by the State and the links to and between our foreign, security and defence policies. It will focus on a wide range of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: We have good energy security in Ireland. We have our ports. A very significant announcement was made today on investing in Rosslare port, in particular. We have electricity and gas interconnection with the UK and are now developing an electricity interconnector between France and Ireland. We will need more interconnection to improve our security in the period ahead. Deputy Bríd...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: On briefings for Opposition leaders, I can ask my Secretary General to carry out a review. As things stand, security briefings, even for Ministers and the Taoiseach, are given largely on an ad hocbasis. We do not have a formalised structure like that in other states. We need to consider that. We also need to consider the associated rules and what the consequences would be if there was any...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: In my experience, one thing that never leaks is anything to do with national security. Were that to change, there would have to be very serious consequences. On Deputy Brendan Smith's comments, I absolutely agree with what he had to say about republican and loyalist paramilitaries. He made a valid point on Garda resources for the Border counties. We need to take into account the fact...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I understand there is a criminal investigation under way. It is being carried out by the Garda but I do not have an update on it. There are no proposals for a non-criminal investigation.