Results 4,881-4,900 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Industrial Development (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: There has been no update since the Deputy raised this question in July. The property mentioned is not under the ownership of IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland. However, the IDA has included it in its suite of property marketing material for clients looking at this location. The IDA has not been made aware of any potential project for the facility. Enterprise Ireland will also continue to...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Legislative Programme (15 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Competition (Amendment) Bill will include provisions to facilitate the transposition of the EU’s “ECN+ Directive” into Irish law and will represent a step change in competition enforcement for Ireland. The Bill is included as a priority in the Programme for Government and my officials have been working intensively with the Attorney General and his officials on...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Diaspora Issues (15 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: In the Government's Diaspora Strategy, which was launched in late 2020, a number of actions have been set out to strengthen our connections with diaspora communities and to harness the contribution from the diaspora to support economic recovery. The Department of Foreign Affairs leads on the implementation of this strategy. The strategy recognises how returning emigrants bring with them...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Policies (15 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: My Department’s Statement of Strategy, which was launched in January 2021, sets out the Department’s strategic goals and priorities for the 2021-2023 period. During the year, my Department has progressed a range of policy initiatives which will contribute to the achievement of these objectives. We continued to provide assistance to businesses in response to the economic...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Trade Agreements (15 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, the European Union imposed Safeguard Measures on steel imports into the EU in July 2018 in response to the United States applying a 25% tariff on steel imports originating from 3rd Countries, including the European Union. As a consequence of the US Measures, there was an increased risk of steel originally destined for the US market being diverted to the EU market...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Public Services Card (15 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Matters relating to the Public Services Card fall under the remit of the Department of Social Protection. The Deputy may wish to direct her question to that Department.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is actively assisting enterprises in preparing for a greener future. We are integrating climate action into all aspects of the Department and its agencies’ activities and assisting enterprises in doing so too. The Department is facilitating a drive toward the green economy through its agencies. Earlier this year, Enterprise...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Tax Code (14 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Ensuring that work pays is a priority for Government. The issues identified in the ISME Report fall under the policy remit of several Ministers across Government. It highlights a number of issues around the interaction between taxation, social insurance contribution and social welfare policies, a number of which are likely to be examined by the Commission for Taxation and Welfare. The...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (14 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy may wish to direct his query to the Department of Finance, which is providing updates on the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Support Services (14 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Issues relating to the restructuring of regional employment services in the Midlands and North West are best answered by the Department of Social Protection. The Deputy may wish to direct her query to that Department.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Economic Policy (14 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) reports to the Taoiseach and the Government, through myself as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on key competitiveness and productivity issues facing the Irish economy and offers recommendations on policy actions required to enhance Ireland’s competitive position. On 21 September 2021, the NCPC published...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. We are going to have to do that, and we will do it. The Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, and I co-chair the hospitality forum. We are going to have to have more discussions about this in the new year. What we have done to help the sector through this difficult period and the new restrictions is that the commercial rates holiday will be extended until the end of the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I had the pleasure of spending some of my summer holidays last year in Sligo. I climbed Knocknarea and saw Queen Maeve's grave. I am familiar with the wider passage tomb complex in County Sligo. I strongly support the bid to include it as a world heritage site. I am not familiar with the particular site the Deputy mentioned, to be frank. I cannot really answer the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I suppose they would probably argue that they already make that contribution through the bank levy, which applies to banks that in some cases were not bailed out by the State, and one that has already repaid all of the money it was given. The levy was brought in for that purpose. Some of the institutions would argue that they are now paying for it through that levy. I am not sure I agree...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The MEP in question is absolutely entitled to his own opinion and to write whatever letters he sees fit, but I can confirm that it is not Government policy - far from it. The Government is encouraging banks to lend money to young farmers. In fact, my Department runs schemes that help to guarantee those loans. It is Government policy that banks should lend to young farmers. We want to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: There are no plans to defer the end-of-term exams. It is encouraging that the incidence of the virus among the 18 to 24 age group is now falling, albeit slightly. The 50% indoor capacity restriction does not apply to exam halls. One thing we have done is to introduce free antigen testing in third level colleges. That can be very beneficial for students who can take an antigen test before...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy mentioned, the Minister for Rural and Community Development announced this morning the first phase of funding for the development of the first town centre first plans. There will be €2.6 million in funding for 26 town in 26 counties. The Deputy will be pleased that Portlaw in County Waterford has been included in the first phase of this. I share the Deputy's thanks to,...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The national broadband plan is behind schedule, but it will catch up. When the plan is complete in a few years' time, nobody will doubt that this was a good investment. This is the biggest investment in the history of rural Ireland, linking up half a million homes, farms and businesses-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: -----to high-speed broadband. It was opposed by the Deputy's party. I hope people remember that when the next election comes-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: -----and they have the broadband in their homes. I do not have any information on the commercial aspects of National Broadband Ireland.