Results 2,601-2,620 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (28 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The temporary compensation still has to be paid and there would be a temporary delay in investment in education, healthcare and housing as a result.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (28 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht a cuid ceisteanna. I want to acknowledge the fact that businesses and people are facing very high electricity and gas bills, and as a result of that a lot of households are struggling, particularly pensioner and low-income households. A lot of small businesses are also struggling with very high utility bills. Mar a dúirt an Teachta,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (28 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I read the statement of the leader of the DUP last night and heard his interview on radio this morning. I think he has asked for a little time to consider the agreement, to pore over the text and to ask some questions. That is reasonable, and we should allow a little time and space for that to happen and for him to consult his party. That is not unreasonable. Certainly, the European Union...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (28 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I join with the Ceann Comhairle in welcoming the members of the delegation from Moldova, along with the ambassador, Ms Larisa Miculeț, who we all know very well, and to assure them of our continued support for Moldova's path to its membership of the EU and our support for it in everything it is trying to do now to defend its independence and its democracy from forces that would...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Reviews (28 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: Details of study/review/research currently under way Date commenced Estimated date of completion OECD research (funded by the EU) on Strengthening Policy Development and Foresight in the Irish Public Service. Q4 2021 Q2 2023 Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) COVID-19 Social Activity Measure. January 2021 Q1...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ministerial Staff (28 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 to 123, inclusive, together. The persons currently employed in the Department of the Taoiseach as Special Advisers in my office, the office of the Tánaiste and the office of the Leader of the Green Party are detailed in the table below. The appointment of special advisers are made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997 and subject to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Data (28 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The Shared Island Dialogue series which has taken place over the past 24 months has so far engaged more than 2,500 citizens and civic representatives from across all regions, sectors and communities on the island of Ireland. Each Dialogue event has a different thematic focus, related to all-island cooperation and relationships under the Good Friday Agreement. A moderator with experience of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Public Procurement Contracts (28 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: Following a public procurement process published on e-tenders and OJEU the official Journal of the European Union in early 2022, the Department of the Taoiseach, with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, awarded a contract for data strategy services to support the implementation of the Housing for All plan to Ernst & Young Chartered Accountants. Expenditure under...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Public Procurement Contracts (28 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: No awards have been made to the organisation in question, from 2018 to 2022, by the Department of the Taoiseach or by the National Economic and Social Development Office which is the only body under the aegis of the Department.

Anniversary of Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Motion (22 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I move: That Dáil Éireann: — strongly condemns without reservation the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation which commenced on 24th February, 2022; — expresses its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders; — firmly believes that the actions of the Russian...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Risk Assessment (22 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: On that final point on drug debt intimidation, I agree it is something the citizens’ assembly needs to examine as part of its work. On the issue raised in regard to air PSOs by Deputy Cathal Crowe, we have had a few air PSOs in the past, for example, there was Dublin-Kerry, which we no longer need because it is a commercial service; Dublin-Donegal, which is still there; and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Risk Assessment (22 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The mandate of Coillte should be all of those things: to produce timber for housing and building, for leisure and tourism and for climate and biodiversity. It should be a multiple mandate, not a single mandate, and that is the mandate, in my view. I very much agree with what Deputy Gould said about us not seeing a wage-price spiral. That is not happening in Ireland. Inflation here is...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Nursing Homes (22 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their questions. The Attorney General's report was his own but, as Deputy Jim O'Callaghan pointed out, we asked him to prepare it. It was commissioned by the Government in that sense and we published it because I made a commitment in the House that we would. It was a very solid and comprehensive report. Above all, it pointed out that at least in the view of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Risk Assessment (22 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 to 22, inclusive, together. The national risk assessment has been prepared since 2014 and provides an opportunity to identify and discuss significant risks which may arise for Ireland. A draft list of strategic risks for consideration as part of the 2023 national risk assessment was published for consultation on 7 December 2022. This provides an...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Nursing Homes (22 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 16, inclusive, together. Deputies will be aware that, as provided in Article 30 of the Constitution and in the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, the Attorney General’s role is to advise the Government in matters of law and legal opinion. The Attorney General also attends meetings of Government. I maintain regular contact with the Attorney...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (22 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their questions. I was asked by Deputy Gould about the IBEC report on the housing crisis. As I have said before, the housing crisis is holding us back as a country in many different ways. Yes, it is about people having to pay very high rents, first-time buyers not being able to become homeowners and rising homelessness, but it is also holding us back economically....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for his question and once again recognise his interest in and advocacy for taxi drivers in Dublin and elsewhere. I do not know why the scheme has not been reopened yet. I will need to make inquiries with the NTA and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, but I will do that.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The level of sexual violence in our society is truly shocking. The amount of violence against children and sexual violence against children is even more shocking. Some of the court reports in recent weeks are hard to read, quite frankly. It is almost impossible to listen to reports that people could commit such crimes against children. Sometimes it is their own parents or their parents...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I am informed that drafting is ongoing. I am afraid I do not have a definitive timeline for legislation yet but we hope to make meaningful progress on it in this calendar year.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (22 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8 together. The Cabinet committee on the economy and investment was established in January 2023. The first meeting was scheduled for 16 February, but was subsequently postponed. The meeting has not yet been rescheduled. Membership of the committee is comprised of the Taoiseach; the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence; the...