Results 10,281-10,300 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----by IFAC so that we can get an opinion from it on those plans.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It is done in Britain, for example, so I do not see why it could not be done here.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Burton made a very good point about the non-indexation of income tax. Every year an extra €600 million comes in as a consequence of not indexing rates and bands. A tax package of €600 million a year would be entirely reasonable and far from reckless if this was a normal budget. This is not a normal budget, however, it is being developed on the basis of planning for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: ------there is not a cigarette paper between myself and the Minister for Finance when it comes to our economic policy, nor is there a cigarette paper between myself and Deputy Coveney when it comes to Brexit. In demonstrating that €600 million a year arises from non-indexation, Deputy Burton demonstrated exactly why a tax package of approximately €600 million is entirely...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cyber Security Policy (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Cybersecurity is not a new concept, nor are the threats associated with it. However, digital technology now encompasses so many aspects of our day-to-day lives that anything which could disrupt our use of these technologies must be taken more seriously than may have been necessary a few years ago. This is reflected in the sixth national risk assessment, which was published earlier this year,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on the economy met on Wednesday, 4 September. It had been scheduled to have a meeting on Monday, 1 July, but that had to be postponed because of an extended European Council meeting. The next meeting is not yet scheduled but will most likely happen next month. The Cabinet committee on the economy is...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: This is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners, not the Government. However, I would be very happy if the latter just left matters as they stand.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies. I understand that the report will be published today, as well as the Department's response to it. I respect the Data Protection Commissioner and I have confidence in her. However, as is often the case with decisions made by commissioners and regulators, there is a right of appeal. This is a democracy and anybody in a democracy can appeal a decision if he or she...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy Farrell for raising this important issue. I am not aware of any proposed legislation relating to this matter but I may be mistaken and I will confer with the Minister, Deputy Zappone, later in the day and provide Deputy Farrell with a full response.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: We already have a carbon tax. We have had one for ten or 12 years at this stage.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Any increase is obviously a matter for the budget, which will be announced on 8 October. We have committed to ensuring that some of the proceeds of a carbon tax would be ring-fenced to protect those most at risk of fuel poverty, for example, through the fuel allowance.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister, Deputy Creed, will be in the Chamber for more than three hours this evening to discuss this matter. I know the Deputy will be here to make his case and ask the Minister more questions. Six farm organisations, representing the vast majority of farmers in Ireland, negotiated this deal and endorsed it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I understand that, on the night, a seventh organisation, the Independent Farmers of Ireland, agreed to support and advocate for the deal, but some hours later issued a statement saying it could neither support nor oppose it. That is its position at the moment. As I said earlier, it is not lawful or possible to engage in price-fixing in the Irish economy. That is impossible so it will...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: What can happen is that the now recognised producer organisations can negotiate with the factories for proper contracts and proper prices, just as producers and business people do in all other sectors of the economy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----but not for services provided by other Departments. Our view that the finding is in error is supported by the Attorney General and outside legal counsel and the procedures allow for an appeal. An appeal is part of any democratic system of due process. Let us not forget what the public services card is all about; it is about making it easier for people to access public services....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----several times in one's life, one only needs to do that once. That is why people like it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: That is why it has been a success.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It has made it easier for people to access public services. It has replaced duplication and cost. One does not need a free travel pass, a pension book, a children's allowance book or a social services card any more.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Sep 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It is a success. I compliment in particular the former Fianna Fáil Ministers opposite who legislated in 1998 and in 2005 for bringing in the card-----