Results 361-380 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy and acknowledge Limerick is one of a number of places that needs more gardaí. Blanchardstown in my constituency is another. The number of gardaí peaked in 2020. Templemore was closed as a consequence of Covid. It has now reopened and we expect the total number of gardaí to stabilise this year and begin increasing throughout the year. Some 746 trainee...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: I appreciate the Deputy's interest in this matter and his consistency in raising it in the House. The in camerarule is there generally speaking to protect the identity of children and families in what can be very sensitive cases. To waive that would be something we would have to think about very carefully.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy McGrath for raising a very important issue for the people of Tipperary. I do not have any information on it to hand but I will certainly make inquiries of the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, and I will come back to the Deputy later.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. The safety and quality of drinking water is paramount. We are aware of the judgment in the case, and we are studying the details of it. We will respond to it in early course.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: We are very keen to proceed with the interim works in Midleton and then to proceed with the flood relief scheme. As the Deputy knows, I was down there a few months ago and I gave a commitment that we would pursue these projects so I will follow that up with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, and also the Minister of State,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I was really shocked and appalled to hear that it was even possible that UN staff would have been involved in the terrorist attack on 7 October. If it turns out to be true, I think it will do damage to the agency.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: It is a very serious matter. Even if it is a small number of staff in a very big agency, it is shocking to think that UN staff could be involved in any form of terrorist attack. It does need to be investigated thoroughly. We have taken the decision, however, not to suspend our funding to the agency. The people of Palestine need humanitarian aid, healthcare, and education and it would be a...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. To be clear, as a Government we will not accept any displacement of the Palestinian people from Gaza or any attempts to resettle Gaza or the permanent reoccupation of Gaza. What we are now working towards with our international partners is a ceasefire; one that can allow humanitarian aid in, that can allow the hostages to be released, which is crucial, that can allow the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I am not in favour of tax amnesties and I am surprised to hear him advocating them. I thought it was something he was against. The law is clear. People have to pay the TV licence and I encourage people to pay the TV licence, not just because of the law but because of funds. It is really important to have public service broadcasting including the news, current affairs,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I am told that over 1,600 applications have been received for the old scheme and 236 for the enhanced scheme until the end of December but that over 300 have received grants of the higher rate under the new scheme. I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy with the exact figures.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: Ireland welcomes the decision by the International Court of Justice to order provisional measures in the South Africa versus Israel case. The court’s order is significant, that Israel must ensure that its military does not commit actions prohibited under the Genocide Convention and takes immediate and effective measures to enable basic services and humanitarian assistance in Gaza....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: There have been a number of requests for statements on Northern Ireland, the fishing industry and negotiations currently happening at European level, Dublin, housing affordability and Garda recruitment. On many of these issues, such as housing affordability and gardaí, we regularly have discussions in the House. We would be happy to have statements on Northern Ireland, perhaps next...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I know he has raised it before in the Dáil. It is a very distressing situation for people living and earning their livelihood around Lough Funshinagh. I have not had the chance to visit but am familiar with the area and it has been raised with me personally by the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and Senator Dolan. The Minister...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: I confess I am genuinely not sure precisely what emergency legislation the Deputy is referring to. I know something about emergency legislation because I have been involved in it on a number of occasions in government. It is not as clear-cut as the Government deciding it wants to declare an emergency and bring about emergency legislation. It requires-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: Yes, but it is not as simple as the Government-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: -----just deciding what an emergency is and is not.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: I have also come across one or two not dissimilar cases in my constituency. The Deputy has my assurance that I will follow up on this. The Minister, Deputy McGrath, is in Brussels today but I will see him during the week and we will try to make some changes to make things better.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy Nolan for raising this important issue. Everyone in the House can agree that we need to do all we can to ensure people with disabilities have independence and freedom and can take up employment, use a car, travel and do all of things we and they need to do. I do not have an up-to-date note on the primary medical certificate, but I will get more information for the Deputy as...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: I join Deputies Bacik and Doherty in welcoming the news earlier this morning that the DUP is willing to re-enter power-sharing in Northern Ireland. This paves the way for democratic and devolved government to be restored, for the assembly to function and for the executive to meet and make decisions for Northern Ireland. Crucially, it will also allow the North-South bodies, including the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jan 2024)

Leo Varadkar: We are always happy to consider proposals for new laws and regulations but any time we consider a new law or regulation, we must always consider the unintended consequences. We have seen that play out so many times. When renters are surveyed, as the Deputy will know from the recently published survey, approximately 80% say they have a favourable experience. That still leaves 20% with a bad...