Results 4,461-4,480 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I agree the time parents must wait for an assessment of needs for their kids is far too long. I understand there had been some improvements in the last couple of months rather than a deterioration but I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to come back to the Deputy directly on it.

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: According to the HSE, there were 490 patients on trolleys awaiting admission this morning but it is anticipated the majority of those will be in a bed by this evening. Nonetheless, it is a figure that is very high. There are a number of factors contributing to it; it is not just about Covid. On mask-wearing, the advice from Government and the CMO is very clear, namely, we encourage...

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. My colleague, Deputy O'Donnell, has been very active on this in the last few weeks. On the housing project in Moyross, I understand Roadbridge was involved in a project to build 38 homes in Moyross and Southill. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will assist the trust to ensure these houses are completed as soon as...

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I think a national emergency in relation to hospitals was declared about 20 or 30 years ago. I do not think it would provide a solution in itself but I absolutely acknowledge that our hospitals are under enormous pressure at the moment. It is not only because of Covid. There is also the bank holiday effect and there is also deferred demand. We would expect the numbers awaiting admission...

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Cabinet decided this morning to support the Bill. It is good legislation. The Minister for Justice will be happy to support it on behalf of the Government. It may be that the practice is already illegal given that the purchase of sex is illegal in Ireland and there are very clear laws around consent. Perhaps if this provides additional clarity there is something to be gained from it...

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I am not familiar with the outcome of any meeting that occurred yesterday. However, the Government is very keen to make this payment to front line and essential workers who were exposed to Covid during the pandemic period. Negotiations and consultations are still underway with unions. We want to make that payment as soon as possible and in the next few weeks if we can.

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: My understanding in relation to bus and public transport services is that if they are PSO services, Government subsidised services, in urban and rural areas that can apply, but where they are commercial services in urban and rural areas and not funded by the State, then it cannot apply and there is no way for us to do that unfortunately. VAT is obviously a matter for the Minister for...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: It was agreed at the Government meeting today that a detailed briefing for Opposition parties would be provided this week on the situation in Ukraine and the Government's response to it. That can be done at leader or spokesperson level, whichever parties think is the most appropriate. That will happen this week.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: As I said-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: It is a matter for the Business Committee but we have Private Members' business and Topical Issue debates.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: No, it is a matter for the Business Committee or Private Members' business. Deputies have a Private Members' business slot this week.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy has a slot this week. We can use that slot.

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: As I understand it, this is a liquidation. Our main focus in the past week or two has been trying to make sure that the workers affected had their redundancy rights protected. That has been done. On subcontractors getting paid, the Deputy will be very aware that when companies fail, unfortunately, sometimes suppliers and subcontractors do not get paid in full but they do get paid in part....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. In terms of post offices, the war in Yemen or the national maternity hospital, the Government has no difficulty with there being a debate or statements on these issues but that would have to be agreed by the Business Committee. I point out that there are three Private Members' slots every week-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: -----and it is up to the Opposition to use those slots as it chooses. If these are the items it wishes to prioritise, it can do so for at least two of those three items. Whether it does so or not is entirely its choice and not ours.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: And it is not nice what you said to me either, Deputy, just there, quite frankly. Reflect on it and think about it. Just think about what you said.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: Think about what you said.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: Reflect on it, think about it and come back here tomorrow or the next day and take it back, if you want to. The truth is the Deputy looks down on me. The Deputy thinks that because I am from Dublin, I am middle-class and I do not talk the way the Deputy talks and I have the accent I have, somehow I do not understand real people but he is wrong. I am elected just as much as the Deputy...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy would rather come in here and make personalised digs about people in government than make hard decisions that might cost him a few votes in Kerry.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Mar 2022)

Leo Varadkar: If the Deputy entered Government as an Independent, he would have to make hard decisions and just like every Independent who enters Government, he would lose votes. That is why the Deputy runs a mile from Government and that is exactly what the Deputy did in 2016.