Results 11,121-11,140 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I do not know the answer to the Deputy's question about Peter Smyth but I will inquire and let him know as soon as I can find out. That was an independent process audit as the Deputy knows so I did not have any involvement in it. I do not agree that this is unprecedented. For example, I consider the fact that the State found €8 billion over ten or 20 years to connect our cities by...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: We connected Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Galway by motorway and spent €8 billion doing so. This project involves €3 billion to connect 1.1 million homes across the country, in all 26 counties, so I do not agree that it is an unprecedented investment, nor do I think it is an unprecedented risk

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The cost-benefit analysis was done independently and I believe it stacks up.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It shows that the benefits outweigh the costs in the optimistic scenario, the pessimistic scenario and the central case scenario. The cost-benefit analysis is conservative because it does not take into account the wider societal benefits-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----of connecting 1.1 million people across rural Ireland to high-speed broadband. What are those wider societal benefits? They are, for example, access to ehealth and education online, which is now becoming an increasingly important aspect of education, with kids being able to download from Google and access apps online. It does not take into account the climate action benefits that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. While I am happy to answer his questions, we should not lose sight of the objective here. The national broadband plan is the largest ever investment in rural Ireland and probably the most significant investment to take place since rural electrification. It is about connecting 1.1 million people, 450,000 homes, 50,000 farms and 50,000 businesses to high-speed broadband....

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: European Council Meetings (14 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I attended an informal meeting of the European Council in Sibiu, Romania on 9 May 2019, Europe Day. We had an open and constructive discussion about our priorities for the period ahead, in advance of the June European Council, where we will agree our next Strategic Agenda and we agreed the Sibiu Declaration, which outlines ten broad commitments that will guide our future work....

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Advertising Budgets (14 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The only advertising expenditure in any form incurred by my Department to date in 2019 relates to a call for submissions from the public on the preparation of a draft Irish language scheme, in an online Irish language newspaper. The total expenditure was €664.20 including VAT.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Civil Service Staff Data (8 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below. Table 1: Department of the Taoiseach Staff by Grade and Gender-30 April 2019* Grade Total Male Female Secretary General 1 1 0 Second Secretary General 1 1 0 Assistant Secretary 5 3 2 Principal Officer 15 7 8 Assistant Principal Officer 40 13 27 Higher Executive Officer 34 9 25 Administrative Officer 16 5 11...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Agencies Data (8 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The National Economic and Social Development Office, based in Dublin, is the only body under the aegis of my Department. There are currently 12 persons working full-time and 4 persons working part-time in the office (14.5 Full Time Equivalents).

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Communications (8 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I wrote to Prime Minster Wickremesinghe on 24 April condemning the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka and expressing condolences on behalf of the Government of Ireland to the victims of these attacks.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Northern Ireland (8 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I spoke with Prime Minister May on 24th April when we both attended the funeral of Ms Lyra McKee, in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast. In coming together with other political leaders we paid tribute to Lyra McKee and gave expression to the clear will and determination of all of the people of these islands to reject violence and to support peace and a better future for everyone in Northern...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Brexit Issues (8 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I last spoke with Prime Minister May on 24 April, when we both attended the funeral of Lyra McKee, in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast. Our discussions focussed on developments in Northern Ireland, and our common efforts to see the institutions re-established there. I have had no formal bilateral meetings with my EU counterparts since the last meeting of the European Council on 11 April....

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committee Meetings (8 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Cabinet Committee D last met on 31 January 2019. The Committee’s objective is to ensure a coordinated approach to policy and delivery in the areas of infrastructure investment, housing, and climate action. It also provides an opportunity for political oversight in relation to Project Ireland 2040. Significant work is underway across each of these areas through Government Departments...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Communications (8 May 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I have not spoken directly with Prime Minister Sánchez since the recent elections in Spain. However I look forward to seeing him again at the Informal Summit in Sibiu, Romania, this Thursday, 9 May. My last formal interaction with Prime Minister Sánchez was on 28 December, 2018 when we spoke by phone. I also met and engaged informally with him at the meetings of the European...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (18 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirligh agus a Sheanadóirí. As Senators know, today marks the 70th anniversary of the Republic of Ireland coming into effect. Today 70 years ago, the President, Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh, signed into law the Republic of Ireland Act and, therefore, while it may be a coincidence, today is a fitting day for me to have the opportunity to speak in this...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (18 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I welcome the proposal from the European Commission that will enable the current PEACE and INTERREG programmes to continue until the end of 2020, even in the event that there is a disorderly Brexit. Work has already begun on a new PEACE+ programme that will build on and continue the work of the PEACE and INTERREG programmes. This will provide reassurance for all those who benefit from these...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (18 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Senators for their contributions. Many issues have been raised and I will try to answer as many questions as I can in the limited time available to me. I apologise in advance if I do not justice to any particular question or issue raised. Housing was mentioned. We all agree that the core of the solution is an increased supply of housing of all forms, but it is not the solution on...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (18 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Members did and were acting within their rights in doing so. If this House believes that 120 hours for the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill is not enough, that is the decision of the Senators.

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (18 Apr 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It is entirely open to the House to spend as many hours as the House decides debating the Bill, but there are two certainties in politics, two things are finite, money and time.