Results 10,801-10,820 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: It would simply be not right or fair to restore Defence Forces pay and pensions fully ahead of everyone else in the public service.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: Everyone must have restoration happening at the same time. Nor would it be affordable to do what Deputy Healy is asking. The public sector pay bill is nearly €18 billion a year. A 2% increase alone is €360 million. We have heard the advice and the criticisms from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council telling us that we are increasing spending too fast. The Opposition needs to...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: -----we need the Opposition to stop demanding additional spending everyday.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: The Opposition-----
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: The Opposition has a responsibility as well. Government has heard that message. We are going to heed it. We are going to try to keep spending increases under control-----
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: -----at around 4% or 5% this year.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: We also need the Oireachtas to get that too because we cannot get a budget, Estimates or Supplementary Estimates through, if they are necessary-----
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: -----without the support of this House. We also need this House to reorientate its attitude to these things as well and come with us in trying to keep public spending under control.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: We are going to act on this and the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, is going to meet the chief officers of the nine community healthcare organisations next week to see how we can resolve this issue. I come back to the basic, important, and fundamental point that the budget for home help has increased by 50% in four years. It has gone up from €300 million to €450 million...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I do not agree with the Deputy's assessment that the Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill was rushed through the Dáil. There was no guillotine, nor has any legislation been guillotined in this Dáil, which has now been in existence for three years. Adequate time was provided for the discussion of that legislation, and there was no attempt to curtail or limit debate on it. The Government...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I do not know that.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is very touchy today. Deputy Michael Collins's question about Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin has been answered for him. Ireland's position regarding Rockall is that there is no basis for excluding Irish fishing vessels from Rockall waters, as they are legitimately pursuing EU fishing opportunities and have done so unhindered for decades. We believe any concerns should be...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: Deputy Martin is being a little over-sensitive. I did not blame the Opposition for anything and I am not blaming the Opposition for anything on this matter. I did run over time, as did Deputy Martin on two occasions. If the Deputy asks so many questions that he runs over time by several minutes, I do not have the time to answer them.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: Deputy Martin needs to be reasonable in that regard.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: With respect, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, there is a question of reasonableness. If someone runs over time and asks 26 questions, it is not possible to answer them in the time allowed. It is even harder when I am constantly interrupted while trying to answer them.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I will answer if I am allowed to.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I think moving towards a no-fault compensation scheme is a good idea. It is something that requires consideration. We did not discover that as a Government in recent months or during the past year. We have set up a group to examine this matter and tort reform under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Charlie Meenan. We are waiting for him to come back to us with his suggestions in that...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: One thing needs to be considered about a no-fault scheme. Generally, when no-fault schemes are established - they exist in other parts of the world and in Ireland - the awards are quite modest and they are no fault. No fault means that nobody is to blame, nobody is held to account, nobody is deemed negligent and nobody is deemed liable. If we are going to go down that route, we need to...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: I think we all acknowledge the enormous value of home care in terms of helping people who are sick, elderly or disabled to remain in their homes for longer, thus not having to go into a nursing home. Home care helps patients to get out of hospital quicker, thus freeing up hospital beds for others who need them. There is no disagreement in the House about that. I spoke to the Minister of...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2019)
Leo Varadkar: We are keen to ensure that the extra 800,000 hours of home help that is funded and that has been voted for by this Oireachtas is delivered to the people who need it.