Results 2,921-2,940 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Pause for Peace (1 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: Is ionann Lá Fhéile Bríde, nó Imbolc, an chéad lá de mhí Feabhra agus an t-earrach agus an tús nua. Beidh lá saoire poiblí nua againn ar an Luan seo chugainn. It bookmarks the start of the traditional Celtic new year as we move from winter into a period of light and hope. In this pause for peace, we are asking people to come together to be...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I still cannot fathom why the Deputy always feels the need to misrepresent what I say in this House and what the Government says. Obviously, I stand over what I said yesterday in regard to me being briefed and I am still trying to get the documents around that. What I can say is that regarding a document that appeared in the newspapers yesterday in relation to 2016, we have confirmed from...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Gender Equality (1 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The 2022 Gender Pay Gap Report for the Department of the Taoiseach was published on 23 December 2022. The report sets out the gender pay gap statistics incorporating 240 staff employed during the reporting period June 2021 to June 2022. The information in the report was calculated in accordance with the principles laid out in the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021, which requires...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Advertising (1 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The table below details expenditure by my Department on online advertising from 2013 to the 31stof January 2023. 2013 Nil 2014 Nil 2015 €492 2016 Nil 2017 Nil 2018 €436,823 2019 €12,281 2020 ...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Advertising (1 Feb 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The Government Information Service (GIS), which incorporates the Government Press Office, carries out communications activities on behalf of the Department of the Taoiseach and Government. As part of its work, GIS manages the content on the Department of the Taoiseach gov.ie site as well as the merrionstreet.ie social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and TikTok. GIS...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Child Poverty (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputies for their contributions. Deputy Farrell raised the children's disability network teams. They will not specifically fall under the remit of the new unit. They will fall to the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, with the transfer of disability functions to her and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, which will happen on 1 March, but it...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Child Poverty (31 Jan 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 23, inclusive, together. Our vision is to make Ireland the best country in Europe in which to be a child. The role of the Department of the Taoiseach is to pull things together and co-ordinate Government action so that it is targeted. Poverty restricts a child's opportunities. The new unit will build on what has been achieved by Government and...

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...

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: 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...

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.

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-----