Results 10,101-10,120 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: We can all agree that consuming tobacco is seriously injurious to one's health. It causes many forms of cancer, as well as severe illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, which leads to disability and other effects. I acknowledge Deputy Micheál Martin's work as Minister for Health and Children over a decade ago in banning smoking in the workplace, which saved...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Communications (9 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I spoke by phone with Prime Minister Johnson on Wednesday 2 October when we discussed the latest UK Government’s proposals for a new protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. I explained to the Prime Minister that the proposals do not fully meet the agreed objectives of the backstop. However, I indicated that I would study them in further detail, and would consult with the EU...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (9 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: As published in my Department's Appropriation Account 2018, outturn in respect of subhead A1(iii), Training and Development and Incidental Expenses, for 2018 was €3.524 million. €3.306 million of this relates to incidental expenses which include Official and State Entertainment, Library and Information Services, and Administrative Expenses.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (8 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together. I last met Mrs. Arlene Foster, leader of the DUP in Government Buildings on the evening of 18 September when we discussed Brexit developments at that time and also discussed the political situation in Northern Ireland and ongoing efforts to restore the power-sharing institutions. I emphasised the Government’s full commitment to all...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (8 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Services covers issues relating to health and Sláintecare, education, children, equality, social inclusion; Irish language, arts and culture; and continued improvements and reform of public services. The issues of Direct Provision and the Irish Refugee Protection Programme are also covered.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Micheál Martin asked me whether I asked Jeremy Corbyn why he did not support the withdrawal agreement. I did do so, and he essentially explained that the Labour Party wanted a different and closer relationship with the EU than that envisaged in the withdrawal agreement and the joint political declaration. Specifically, the Labour Party wants the UK to be part of some kind of...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: What we are hearing is certainly not encouraging and, in my view, would not be the basis for an agreement, sadly. We want there to be a deal and an agreement and we will work until the last moment to secure an agreement, but not at any cost. We are ready for no-deal if that is what the British decide. However, I ask everybody in the British Government and the British political...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I will look up which Department the Labour Party wishes to abolish or downgrade.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Even more recently, the response by Fianna Fáil to the appalling attack on Kevin Lunney was to set up a new agency. I do not think that is much of a policy, quite frankly.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It is a serious issue and it requires a better response. What it requires is the response we are getting from Government, which is more gardaí and an armed support unit in the Border region, and much more co-operation between the PSNI and the Garda Síochána. The solution is not setting up another agency, it really is not.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: In regard to the Cabinet committee on social policy and public services, the last meeting of that committee was held only last month and it reviewed progress being made in regard to the implementation of Sláintecare. That goes to the Cabinet committee first and then the quarterly report goes to Cabinet. That indicates the good progress that is being made and it will be published quite...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: They never get answered.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The question the Deputy asked was whether the LNG terminal was discussed at the Cabinet committee. It was not. My understanding is that the LNG terminal could be used to receive fracked gas, but not necessarily or exclusively. It could receive any liquefied natural gas so it could be used to receive gas transported by sea that is not fracked.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together. As I reported to the House on 19 June, I met with the leader of the British Labour Party, Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, MP, in Government Buildings on Thursday, 30 May 2019. Mr. Corbyn was accompanied by Tony Lloyd, MP, shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and several advisers. We discussed Northern Ireland, Brexit and the current...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: To pick up on the Deputy's last question, the Department of Rural and Community Development actually has a very substantial capital budget. I think barely a week or a fortnight goes by that the Minister, Deputy Ring, does not announce capital grants all over the country.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: There is, for example, a €1 billion rural development fund and he also has other capital schemes, like the town and village scheme, CLÁR and LEADER. He has made an allocation to Hartstown community centre to assist with the fire safety works. He would be happy to consider a request from Huntstown community centre for the same.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: On the rural roads, the budget for roads has increased considerably in recent years. I do not have the exact figures in front of me but it is a very considerable increase in funding for local and regional roads. I think this falls under the remit of the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, rather than that of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross....

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: On the issue of Cabinet committees in general, I believe the Cabinet committee structure is working well. It has been amended slightly in recent months but, for the record, we had five Cabinet sub-committee meetings last month alone. These meetings are attended by officials, advisers and Ministers. They can work well provided there is a tight enough agenda and they are properly prepared...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their questions. As I stated in Wexford a few weeks ago, I felt the US Vice President's comments on Brexit, made while in Ireland, were unbalanced. He specifically called on the EU and Ireland to negotiate in good faith with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Johnson. That should have been qualified by recognising that we had negotiated in good faith with the former...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Oct 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Within that, it is anticipated that there is one significant high-profile visit every year, whether it be President Trump this year, Pope Francis last year, etc.