Results 38,701-38,720 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar
- Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Question 51: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will endorse the criticism of the Chinese Government's policy towards Tibet and the call by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the Chinese Government to enter into talks with the Dalai Lama; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15071/08]
- Chemicals Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 May 2008)
Leo Varadkar: They are as thick as thieves.
- Chemicals Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 May 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Hear, hear.
- Chemicals Bill 2008: Order for Second Stage (1 May 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Given the importance attached to the environment, health and safety, and economy in this Bill, I would like to call a quorum.
- Chemicals Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 May 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Fine Gael broadly supports the Bill. We may table amendments later but we are happy with the Bill as drafted. It is a complicated Bill. When I received a copy of it, I hoped that my two years of chemistry lectures would be of some use but perhaps if I had studied law, I might have been better equipped to understand its provisions. I acknowledge the work of the European Parliament,...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the details of his efforts to complete a double taxation agreement with Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16890/08]
- Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Question 102: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on an air transport agreement with Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16889/08]
- Written Answers — Extraordinary Rendition: Extraordinary Rendition (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Question 106: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has sought written assurances from the US Secretary of State to confirm that no unlawful combatants or prisoners of war have been transferred through an airport here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15310/08]
- Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Question 110: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his assessment on the way the strength of the euro is affecting Irish exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16950/08]
- Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Question 157: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the response he gave to the mass application by Iraqi Chaldean Christians for asylum here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16871/08]
- Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Question 158: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views of the German Government's proposal to look favourably on Iraqi Christians applying for asylum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16872/08]
- Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Question 178: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date on which each member of the board of the ESB was first appointed; when they were subsequently reappointed if applicable; the members of the board appointed by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16873/08]
- Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he will make a decision on the commencement of section 48 of the Consumer Protection Bill 2007 which states any trader should not impose additional charges upon consumers who wish to pay by credit card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16947/08]
- Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: I am a little taken aback by the Minister's reply. It was not what I expected and I imagine it was not what the Minister expected when the legislation was going through the House. I have a very strong objection to credit card surcharges. Lots of retailers do not impose them. One can go to Brown Thomas and buy a suit for â¬1,000 and one will not be charged extra for using one's credit...
- Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Did the Minister not seek advice on them?
- Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: Before weââ
- Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: ââmake the employment law, could weââ
- Departmental Properties. (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: In general, is the Minister satisfied with the way the IDA manages its property portfolio? Without talking about the large land banks, and I accept it must have some land banks, in January I received figures from the IDA stating that 42% of its properties were vacant, including in the Airways Industrial Estate and on Gardiner Street in Dublin. In recent days, I also obtained figures from...
- Departmental Properties. (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: I would be interested to hear who are the landlords; it would make interesting reading.
- Departmental Agencies. (30 Apr 2008)
Leo Varadkar: I am amused at the Government's newfound interest in efficiency. Everyone knows my view on this issue and the extent to which the Government has been a proliferator of State agencies has been phenomenal. There are nearly 1,000 such agencies. One of the worst offenders is the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which has almost 100. I doubt the sincerity of the Government's...