Results 9,241-9,260 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: We have always accepted that there is a housing crisis and shortage in the country. Nobody in any party in this House is in denial about that. I have not had a chance to read the Deputy's document yet. I do not think I have received it but it may be in my post bag, which I have not had a chance to look at yet. The first case the Deputy raised is a complex one and there are individual...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I note at the outset that it is very sad that there are so many people, so many children, on waiting lists for healthcare and therapies. It is not good enough. I know that and I feel it very much in my constituency work with the parents and children I meet from time to time who tell me of their personal stories. It is only right, however, that we in this House acknowledge that waiting...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Civil Service Renewal Plan (11 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform has overall policy responsibility for the Civil Service Renewal Programme. The Civil Service Management Board (CSMB) provides collective leadership of the Civil Service Renewal Programme. The CSMB is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government and its membership is comprised of all Departmental Secretaries General and Heads of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (11 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I met with Sinn Féin along with the Tánaiste on Tuesday, 26th November in Leinster House. Our discussions focussed on the political situation in Northern Ireland and on a time frame for post-election talks. I emphasised the Government’s full commitment to all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. I believe that there is a real potential window of opportunity very shortly...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committee Meetings (11 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Issues relevant to the agriculture sector can arise, as required, at a number of Cabinet Committees, including the Cabinet Committee on the Economy, which most recently met on Wednesday 4 September, the Cabinet Committee on Brexit, Foreign and European Affairs, which most recently met on Monday 9 December, and the Cabinet Committee on the Environment, which most recently met on Monday 2 December.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (11 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Below is a table listing the figures requested by the Deputy. 2019 Item Total Cost Digital component Budget 2019 - public information 1355.46 1355.46 Draft language Scheme - public consultation notices 624.2 Budget 2020 - public information 9901.5 9901.5 ...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (11 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Below is a table listing the figures requested by the Deputy. There are no video commissions currently planned for 2020 relating to schemes operated by my Department. However my Department will participate in all appropriate programmes in 2020. 2019 Item Total Cost Budget 2019 - public information 1355.460 Budget 2020 - public...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (11 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Cabinet meeting in Trim on 6th December last was held in the OPW Head Offices and therefore no rental/hire cost was incurred. There were no accommodation costs. Travel, catering and incidental costs related to the holding of this meeting cannot be fully reported yet as no invoices and claims have been received and processed since the meeting.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Advertising Campaigns (11 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Below is a table listing the figures requested by the Deputy. Officials from my Department, including the Government Information Service, have a coordinating and supporting role for national, cross-Government communications. 2019 Item Total Cost Digital component Budget 2019 - public information 1355.46 1355.46 Budget...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Advertising Campaigns (11 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: There are no Government of Ireland branded information initiatives planned for 2020 in my Department. However my Department will participate in all appropriate initiatives as required, and in light of events such as, for example, developments on Brexit.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (10 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Tánaiste met with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, on Monday, 2 December, during a working visit to Israel and Palestine. During the visit, the Tánaiste also met with a number of Palestinian political leaders including President Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, and a number of UN officials also. The Tánaiste...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (10 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 11, inclusive, together. Cabinet committees are established to provide focused political oversight of relevant initiatives and developments in policy areas, including in particular where there is a need for co-ordinated action across Departments and agencies. Following a Government decision on 25 July 2019 on the establishment of Cabinet committees,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (10 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am not sure how we got from citizens' assemblies to the public services card and the minimum wage and all the way back again but I will do my best to answer as many questions as I can in the time allocated to me. When it comes to the proposed citizens' assembly, the model the Government has in mind is to follow the same process as we followed with regard to the Citizens' Assemblies on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (10 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: And party leaders as well. I was asked whether there has been an independent review of what does and does not work and the pros and cons of citizens' assemblies more generally. That was done. A report was submitted by Ms Justice Mary Laffoy, which gives her advice and experience, having chaired an assembly. It is a very good report on the strengths, weaknesses and limitations of citizens'...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It is intended to end the burning of coal to produce electricity in Ireland by 2025. Any decision on a transition fund for Moneypoint would have to be made in advance of that. At least for now, it is intended to continue burning coal between now and 2025.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am not aware of the specific facility but I will ask my staff to liaise with the Minister for Health about it.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (10 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. The establishment of the Citizens’ Assembly on gender equality was approved by Dáil Éireann on 9 July and Seanad Éireann on 11 July this year. The Citizens' Assemblies Act 2019 providing for the use of the electoral register to select members for both Citizens' Assemblies was subsequently enacted and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I will have to check with the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, the progress on implementing those changes. We want to do this. I acknowledge we have said we will do it for a very long time and have not done it yet. I will check with the Minister of State how that is proceeding and get back to Deputy Brassil.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The €1 billion over five years allocated to Irish Rail by the Minister, Deputy Ross, only in the past two weeks is for all the lines around the country, including the Rosslare line. As recently as a few years ago we had to seriously contemplate closing some lines. We no longer have to do that. Now, rather than repairing faults as they arise, we will have a managed maintenance...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I will ask the Minister for Health to provide a written response to the Deputy.