Results 10,661-10,680 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----and on a wider range of agenda items on Tuesday. Cabinet sub-committees meet as needed and that is often when we want to have other people involved, whether it be officials, advisers or people from outside Departments. Last week or the week before, the Cabinet sub-committee on justice met, which allowed us to have the Secretary General of the Department in attendance to talk about the...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: While the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council is saying to us that we are increasing spending too rapidly and are overreliant on corporation profit tax receipts, others are saying to us that there are enormous demands for additional spending and we need to invest in our public services and infrastructure. Other people are saying to me that they want to be able to keep more of their hard-earned...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am starting to answer the Deputy's question. He will have to let me answer it. The analysis was not done by my Department but we got a costing from the Department of Finance. The ambition over a five-year period is to make sure that people who earn the average income do not pay the highest tax rate. Ireland is unusual in that people earning the average income pay the highest tax rate.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The average person in Ireland working full-time earns €47,000 a year now and they pay the highest tax rate on some of their income but I want that to change. It cannot be done in one budget or in one year. It can be done over a five-year period.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I do not mind-----

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I would be happy to continue to answer the questions but I can also move on to the next question if Deputies wish.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 8, inclusive, together. My Department's statement of strategy 2017-20 sets out six strategic priorities, the first of which is providing excellent support services for the Taoiseach and Government. The second priority is ensuring that Ireland has a strong economy, making work pay and backing business. The third is helping to ensure that Government...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: To discuss the meeting with Mr. Corbyn first, I considered it a very good meeting. It was an opportunity for us to speak and get to know each other a little and for our respective teams to engage and get to know each other. It was a tête-à-têteat first and then there was a meeting of our teams. We had the time to discuss some of the different scenarios that might arise over...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. I met with the leader of the British Labour Party, Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, MP, at Government Buildings on Thursday, 30 May 2019. Mr Corbyn was accompanied by Tony Lloyd, MP, shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and advisers. We discussed Northern Ireland, Brexit, and the current political situation in Westminster....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: To the best of my knowledge, there is not any legislation promised on this and there is no specific programme for Government commitment but it is an important issue. I will make the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade aware that the Deputy has raised it and ask him to send the Deputy a briefing on the position we are taking.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Government very much recognises the vital role that the haulage and freight transport sector plays in the economy. It is one of the reasons we brought in the fuel rebate a few years ago. We also recognise that the sector will have to make a contribution towards climate action as well because the emissions produced by large vehicles damage our environment. These vehicles also damage our...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Níl an tAire anseo, mar a dúirt an Teachta. The Deputy has raised an individual case and I cannot comment on it. I do not have the details but it would seem to be common sense that the child should be able to attend the special needs unit nearest to her but there may be particular reasons I am not aware of. If the Deputy passes on the details of the case, I will make sure it is...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: My basic point was different. Nobody doubts that we have real challenges when it comes to recruitment and retention across the health service. However., one would think from what is said in this Chamber and from the common narrative that this meant there are fewer doctors, nurses and therapists than was the case one year ago or three years ago. The reverse is true. Notwithstanding the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am not sure if it would work to establish an office with no statutory powers, but I will-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Yes, but I am not sure it works to establish an office with no statutory powers. It may work in other-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: That was established by means of a statutory instrument.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: There was. The Deputy is wrong.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am informed that legislation is awaiting detailed scrutiny by the relevant committee. It is actually in the hands of the sponsor, rather than the Government, at this stage. I am sure there is some good work there and I imagine the Minister, Deputy Bruton, will want to draw on that in developing the Government's legislation, in respect of which, as stated earlier, there is now a timeline.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware the case is still before the courts and sentences have yet to be handed down. We must all, therefore, be very careful about any commentary on a case that has not yet concluded except to say that all our hearts go out to the parents of the young woman who was killed and also to the parents of the two boys, but I do not want to say anything beyond that. I am aware of the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: On the question regarding an online safety commissioner, the answer is "Yes". The legislation being prepared by the Minister, Deputy Bruton, will have a number of elements, the first of which is the requirement of platforms to have online safety codes, while the third will prohibit the cyberbullying of minors and the promotion of harmful content, particularly suicide and deliberate self-harm...