Results 10,761-10,780 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Functions (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together. The economic division in my Department assists me, and the Government, in developing and implementing policy to deliver sustainable and regionally balanced economic growth and quality jobs, promote effective planning and delivery of infrastructure, including housing, and to ensure a whole-of-Government approach to data protection and...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Programmes (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The role of the social policy and public service reform division is to assist me in Government in delivering on the programme for Government objective of public policies and services which drive a socially inclusive and fair society and to assist in renewing and transforming the public service. The division assists the work of Cabinet committees B, E and G and the associated senior...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Programmes (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies. On the Freedom of Information Act, I am not familiar with the particular court decisions. If my reading of it was correct, some of them may even be on appeal so it might not be resolved as yet. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as the line Minister, has responsibility for the Freedom of Information Act rather than me. If the Deputy wishes to expand on...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Operations (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their questions. As the House will be aware, talks concerning Northern Ireland are under way in Belfast. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is leading the Government's presence in those talks and we are in regular contact. It is fair to say he is more optimistic than before about the prospects of an agreement and he sees it is very...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Operations (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I apologise as I did not have the chance to hear the Deputy's speech. Perhaps we agree on the matter. I will take a look when I get the chance. Deputy Martin asked about the preparedness of business and the Government for Brexit. The Government is, and will be, prepared. Most businesses will be prepared as well but, inevitably, some businesses will not be prepared. I repeat my call...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The budget for the National Ambulance Service is being increased year on year. I think the increase this year is in the region of €5 million. This has allowed for additional staff and ambulances and improved bases in Tuam and Mulranny, among other places around the country. The decision as to how best to allocate ambulances around the country is best made by the experts in this...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Operations (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The International, EU and Northern Ireland division of my Department covers work on all international, EU and British-Irish and Northern Ireland affairs within the Department, including Brexit. The division assists me in my international role, including as a member of the European Council, and in my other EU and...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: To answer Deputy Fitzpatrick's question, the HSE is responsible and accountable for these matters under the Health Acts. To answer Deputy Moynihan's question, I am almost certain I did not state there was not a waiting list in north Cork or anywhere else, but I will go back over the record and if I did say that, I will have it corrected. I am pretty certain I did not say it.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I do not have any information on this issue and do not have a role in it, but I will certainly ask that the Minister, Deputy Zappone, engage directly with the Deputy on this issue and perhaps hear his concerns and resolve the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy Neville for raising this issue. The Government is very committed to this project, which is included in Project Ireland 2040. It will be of great importance in connecting Foynes, a deep-water port that has enormous development potential for trade, via a proper, high-quality road and will also help to alleviate the traffic congestion in Adare, which is a blight on an otherwise...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I understand from Dr. Scally's report that he offered us the reassurance that the laboratories are up to standard and-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----that they are all accredited. He stated that there is no evidence to support the view that there are any concerns about the particular laboratories, but I am sure the HSE should and will want to comment on that.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am not sure I can insist, but I will certainly ask it to do so.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: This is an individual case and a private matter. I am not party to all of the information from the family affected or-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----from the hospital's side. I do not wish to get involved in commenting on an individual case, even one that is very sad, such as this one, particularly when there may be legal proceedings under way. However, I understand that the Minister, Deputy Harris, wants and expects an external inquiry into the facts of the case to be carried out.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: This is a matter for the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh, who is currently out of the country. As Deputy O'Loughlin and I discussed, the EPSEN Act has been commenced in part but not in full. Many of the areas that have not been commenced are now a little out of date, given that the legislation is more than 15 years old. As I understand it, it is the intention of the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I understand that efforts are under way to put in place the necessary supports for the children and adults affected, including educational, social welfare and health supports. I discussed the matter with somebody earlier who suggested that the next step would be to appoint a dedicated liaison person because some families are getting supports while others are not; it has not been co-ordinated...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and for his support for this proposal to extend voting rights for presidential elections to Irish citizens in Northern Ireland and around the world. They will register online and vote by post. The legislation was agreed by Cabinet yesterday. We want to take Second Stage before the recess and we need to do that to meet a timeline of having the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: That is a reasonable and sensible suggestion. Although the junior certificate is not quite as life forming or life-changing as the leaving certificate, the same principles apply, and we should make allowances for students who are bereaved to allow them to do their exams at a later date. I am glad that change has now happened for the leaving certificate. The Minister for Education and...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jun 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am sorry to hear about the situation the Deputy has outlined. I do not know the details, obviously, but it does not seem right, on the face of it, that somebody should be without access to a necessary treatment based on the fact that they live in Tipperary rather than Cork or Limerick. The Deputy mentioned that he has raised the matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, and I...