Results 501-520 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions: Climate Change Negotiations (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take questions No. 20 to 27, inclusive, together. I attended the World Climate Action Summit at the outset of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP28, in Expo City, Dubai, on 1 and 2 December. The summit marked the commencement of two weeks of negotiations on climate change, including progressing the finance needed to mitigate and manage its...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I do not know. The Deputy will have to ask him. They have certainly been in touch with him, but that was only yesterday. On Deputy O'Callaghan's question on homelessness, I am happy to check up on what I said. I am always willing, unlike some others, to correct the record if I make errors. The point I made was that during the period in which the temporary winter eviction ban was in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: British-Irish Co-operation (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 to 19, inclusive, together. I hosted the 40th British-Irish Council summit in Dublin on 24 November. The theme of the summit was transforming children's lives, tackling child poverty and improving well-being. There was an excellent discussion about approaches across the British-Irish Council members and the scope to share learnings. I outlined the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their questions. Deputy Durkan asked about the depth of discussion on the social issues most affecting people. That is very much what the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services is all about. Health is dealt with separately, as is education and children, but that committee has a major focus on housing issues, in particular, and monitoring the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: On the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use, I have not received the report yet. The practice would be to present it to the Cabinet and the Oireachtas and then refer it to an Oireachtas joint committee for further consideration. I am not sure whether that would be the committee on health or on justice, or both in the circumstances, but we will make that decision once the report is received. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos 1 to 13, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services oversees implementation of programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy and public services. The committee covers a range of topics, including immigration and integration, with a particular focus on equality and public service reform. Other...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising the important of issue of special needs in Gorey. I do not have up-to-date information on the unit but I will make some inquiries with the office of the relevant Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, today and come back to the Deputy as soon as I have more information.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. There were quite a number of questions there and I will not be able to answer them in the time allowed. I offer my sincere condolences to Aoife's family on their tragic loss. I understand the HSE has received the review in recent days and is considering the serious and significant issues that arise. Its representatives have offered to meet the family privately to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I have not had the chance to read this particular report but certainly what the Deputy has described is deeply worrying and concerning. HIQA has a number of options it can take, including a closure order, for example. However, I should take a look at the report before saying any more.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of the former Ashbourne House Hotel in Glounthaune. I know the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, is familiar with the issue and the concerns that have been raised. We are in a difficult situation whereby we are trying to manage accommodation on an almost daily basis. We are trying to move people from places to free up spaces for others. I can ask the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. We keep all these things under constant review. No matter what income limits are designed, there will always be people just above that limit. No matter what rent is set, there will always be some people who can and cannot afford it. No matter where those levels are set, the same problems and challenges will arise. I should say that the whole point of cost rental is...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I think he is mistaken, or perhaps whichever NGOs are briefing him are mistaken, as we have called for a phase-down, followed by a phase-out, of all unabated fossil fuels. That is the position of the Irish Government and indeed of the European Union, which the Minister, Deputy Ryan, is advancing in Dubai as we speak. We would have to look at any treaty. I have not seen...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I had an opportunity to visit Leitrim village yesterday and witness at first hand the damage done by the tornado. Having visited many places that have experienced a disaster, it was more reminiscent of an explosion than what you would expect to see from flooding, for example, or other events. It was discussed briefly at Cabinet today but there was no memo. What will be...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: It is the following-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: It is the following three things: the humanitarian scheme that is being opened by the Department of Social Protection, and community welfare officers were there yesterday; microfinance, a loan for business people until the insurance comes through-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: -----and, finally, additional funding for the local authority for any repairs that may be necessary to the public realm. Those are the three things in place for both Leitrim and Wexford.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I understand this is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. It is a Revenue interpretation. I will let the Minister for Finance know the Deputy raised it and ask him to respond to the Deputy directly.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy, who has raised a number of important issues. It would not be right to make commitments on the floor of the Dáil, but I will certainly speak to the Minister for housing about the matter and ask him to get back to Deputy Pringle directly.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. What is usually done is the Department of Education looks at the child benefit stats to assess the number of places needed for primary school and then looks at the numbers in the primary schools to work out how many are needed for the secondary schools. From experience in my constituency, it can sometimes appear there is a very large shortfall in places, but once...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2023)

Leo Varadkar: Ireland wants the EU to utilise its influence on Israel and the proposal for targeted sanctions against violent settlers, as well as Hamas, is now a matter of discussion at EU level. On Monday at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the Tánaiste asked for the European Union to examine the EU Israel Association Agreement given the severity of the crisis in Gaza. However, any proposals to...