Results 9,441-9,460 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (3 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Arising from the experience of previous years, a new approach was taken to the Government’s presence at NPC 2019. The broad objectives of this approach were to maximise the opportunity for citizen engagement (visitors to NPC – approx. 300k) to make the overall approach more cost effective, and to have a targeted presence to help citizens get ready for Brexit. This approach...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Reports (3 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The following table details the external consultant reports, including external Information Technology (IT) consultancy, commissioned by my Department in each of the years from March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019. Name Costs Date of Commission Date of Publication Consultant Health and Safety Statement 2011 €1,270 ...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Legislative Measures (3 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has not sponsored any Bills that have been enacted since November 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Programme for Government Priorities (3 Dec 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a household survey which provides quarterly statistics on employment and unemployment and is the official source of labour market estimates in the State. The primary classification used for the LFS results is the ILO (International Labour Organisation) labour force classification. The most recent...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their questions and remarks. Deputy Howlin mentioned that he detected a significant shift in DUP policy on Brexit. I am not entirely sure if that it is the case. I watched "Newsnight" last night, which was broadcast from Belfast. I think many people did, and maybe they detected subtleties that I missed. Listening to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, he very much made the...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. I last met DUP leader Arlene Foster at the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies in Enniskillen on Sunday, 10 November, when we both participated in the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph and attended a remembrance service in St. Macartin's Cathedral. We also exchanged messages yesterday. In terms of Enniskillen, it was my second year to...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Supports to Former Taoisigh (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputies for their questions and contributions. Former taoisigh and Presidents have an ongoing role. It was mentioned that such an ongoing role can be beneficial to the country. Former President Mary Robinson was mentioned, for example, for her role in climate action and climate change. That is not just good for the world, it also reflects well on the country and we should be...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Electoral Process (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The drafting of the general scheme of an electoral commission Bill is under way in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. Its completion is anticipated by the end of 2019. It is also anticipated that the electoral commission Bill will be published in mid-2020, with the enactment of the legislation and the establishment of the commission following thereafter.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Electoral Process (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: To my knowledge, no Opposition party has taken the initiative and put forward its own electoral commission Bill despite ample opportunity to do so. We are happy, however, to work with the Opposition-----

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Electoral Process (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It is also true.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Electoral Process (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: We are happy to work with the Opposition on this if it can present legislation that is up to standard and sound. The electoral commission's establishment is guided by several recent reports and public consultations. These include the 2016 report of the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and Gaeltacht on the consultation on the proposed electoral commission and the regulatory impact...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Electoral Process (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I certainly do want it, if it is possible in the timeframe.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Electoral Process (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: That is not what I said.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Electoral Process (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Conspiracy theories again.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Supports to Former Taoisigh (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together. The provision of assistance to former taoisigh ceased in March 2012 following a decision by the then Government. I have since approved the provision of some services by my Department to former taoisigh to assist them in carrying out work associated with their former role that continues after their period in office has ceased. The...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Electoral Process (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. The Government recently approved the progress report of the Interdepartmental Group, IDG, on the Security of Ireland's Electoral Process and Disinformation. The report was published on 5 November and laid before the Houses on 12 November. The safeguarding of the electoral process from disinformation and other security risks...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: My understanding is that all of these allowances are unvouched. It is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and the latest update I have from the Minister for Finance is that more policy considerations need to be examined and that any changes would not come into effect until the new year. That was a week or two ago, so things may have changed again since then. I will ask the Minister for...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Both INTERREG and PEACE funding are of enormous value to Northern Ireland and the Border counties. The question the Deputy has asked is a very pertinent one. We have had initial discussions on the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, which is the next seven-year budget for the EU which will run from 2021 onwards. As part of that, it has been agreed in principle that there will be a new...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I do not know if that report exists or whether it has been received. I will ask the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport to contact the Deputy directly.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Nov 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Any decision on this is, of course, for the Irish Wheelchair Association to take. I am told that the Irish Wheelchair Association does not own the existing facility and the lease arrangement in place for it will expire in 2026. Capital investment to upgrade the facility is estimated at a cost of €2 million. The HSE further understands that is a minimum estimate of the costs...