Results 2,041-2,060 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: She can also acknowledge that there has been a 40% increase in the number of apartments built in the first quarter of this year compared with last year. She may wish to acknowledge as well that the number of new apartments built is double what it was three years ago and five times what it was five years ago. At regional level, it is the south-west region, covering counties Cork and Kerry,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: European Council (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: On Deputy Durkan's question about the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, it is fair to say there was much consensus around the table at the European Council that the efforts we are making to assist both Turkey and Syria were the right ones. However, there was a definite degree of frustration that we were not able to get access to northern Syria for reasons linked to the conflict in that...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: For the record, I answered questions earlier on the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins. That last lot of questions was supposed to be on the Cabinet committee on economy and investment. I think the Deputy is abusing the procedures of the House and is abusing privilege.

Ceisteanna - Questions: European Council (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 to 30, inclusive, together. I attended the meeting of the European Council on 23 and 24 March in Brussels. We discussed Ukraine, competitiveness, the Single Market, the economy, energy issues and external relations. Leaders met with United Nations Secretary General António Guterres. In our meeting with him, we discussed the impact on global food...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: Given the limited time available to me, I will focus in my reply on matters relating to the economy and investment. There were some questions about the tech sector. The assessment I gave many months ago was that I thought the tech sector was down-sizing or re-sizing by about 10% or 15%. This is not too far off the mark. It comes after a period of rapid expansion. Tech companies that...

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.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (25 Apr 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 21, inclusive, together. The Cabinet Committee on the economy and investment was re-established in January 2023 and is due to meet on 25 May. The committee has a function similar to that of the Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment, which met six times during the course of 2022. Membership of the committee comprises the Taoiseach;...

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.

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...

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...