Results 32,481-32,500 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I know it may be difficult for some Members opposite to understand it but this country is still a democracy and we are allowed to speak in our national Parliament. I did not interrupt any of the speakers opposite nor do I intend to do so as long as I am here for this debate. At the same time, Sinn Féin members here called for a boycott of the household charge and are now calling for a...

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In which case, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I am happy to clarify the record.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: If the anti-democratic people across the floor would allow me to clarify I would be happy to do so.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: May I speak?

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have been allocated ten minutes to speak but have not been allowed to do so by the anti-democratic forces in this House. I will clarify what I said. Sinn Féin is campaigning against the property tax and some elected representatives of Sinn Féin are boycotting that tax.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have clarified the matter. There is no greater act of disloyalty or infidelity to the State than that. These Sinn Féin representatives have no difficulty paying tax to Tory councils in Westminster. They pay Tory taxes on their empty apartments in Westminster and pay rates on their mansions in Northern Ireland yet they will not pay taxes that are due to local government and this...

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: That payment here is more than €200 per week. The State pension in Northern Ireland is £175.45 per week. Here it is €230 per week.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As I understand it, based on research I have carried out, there is no respite care allowance in Northern Ireland. One has to apply to one's health trust in respect of a holiday. When it comes to child benefit-----

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: If there are any other examples as to why these people should not be allowed ever get into power, it is their failure to allow people to speak.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: They cannot tolerate opposition or anyone who disagrees with their views.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This is the alternative to the current Government.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Chair for his protection. Thank God we have the protection of the Chair in this House and the protection of the Garda Síochána and Defence Forces because God forbid if people like Sinn Féin ever got into power.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I think you should suspend the House.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As I said, there is no respite care grant in Northern Ireland and one has to apply to the health trust for a holiday. Child benefit in Northern Ireland is £80 for the first child, reducing to £60 for each subsequent child.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The only interest Sinn Féin has taken in economic policy is to seek a transfer of corporate taxation powers to Northern Ireland so as to reduce corporation profit taxes for corporations. At the same time, it refuses to take an economic Ministry because it does not want to take responsibility for the measures in place in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin will of course argue that it is...

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: It is true. Deputy Ferris does not even know his own party's policies. It is hilarious that people like Sinn Féin think they could actually be involved in governing this country. Sinn Féin has also proposed new spending of €338.68 million on eight or nine specific areas. They do not include in any of those areas additional funding for local authorities, public transport,...

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I wish to speak against the Sinn Féin motion and in favour of the Government amendment which expresses confidence in the Government as it deals with the current economic crisis. This is a good Government. As the Minister, Deputy Howlin, noted, it is a Government of national unity and is, therefore, unprecedented. For the first time in the history of the State, the two largest parties...

Shannon Airport: Motion (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I move:That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft:State Airports Act 2004 (Shannon Appointed Day) Order 2012,a copy of which Order in draft was laid before Dáil Éireann on 5th December 2012.When I was appointed to the transport, tourism and sport portfolio in March 2011, I made the aviation sector one of my key priorities. One of the issues that needed to be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Maintenance (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Works on such roads are a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. Circulars, relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Shelters (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue of bus stop improvement is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport provider.  I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.