Results 12,021-12,040 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I do not have the exact costs for the delegation to Davos. There was a delegation of five. Accommodation costs were approximately €7,000. The Government jet was used so the only added cost was fuel and car transport from Zurich to Davos. I like broadcast media because anyone interested can get to hear the question and answer in full and, therefore, know the context. In Davos, I...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Given the response and reaction from some quarters here, one would swear the whole thing was my idea.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Deputies will understand why I will avoid answering hypothetical questions in future. We have not made any preparations for physical infrastructure on the Border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. No matter what happens, deal or no deal, the European Union and Ireland will do everything that we can to avoid a hard border emerging on our island. I am amused by Deputy Micheál...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I answered that question and will continue to answer it.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I met the Polish Prime Minister who confirmed that the views expressed by the Polish Foreign Minister were not the views of the Polish Government, and that the foreign Minister had been trying to find a solution to the impasse we now face. Ireland and Poland are much closer on Brexit than some people may believe. Poland is very close to the UK and they have a very strong security...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I did not give the full answer to the question I was asked earlier. The total salary cost is €1.16 million and the average salary is a little under €50,000. I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 14, inclusive, together. I attended the 2019 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos from 23 to 25 January. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, also attended....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I note that Deputy Micheál Martin has described me as one of the most instinctive politicians. I am not sure he meant it as a compliment, but as instinct is very valuable in politics, I choose to take it as a compliment.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The 21 political staff mentioned include drivers. I am not included as I have garda drivers, but the Chief Whip and the Leader of the Seanad have drivers. The figure of 21 is inclusive of drivers. It also includes staff in my office in the Department of the Taoiseach and my constituency stafs. Also included are staff assigned to the Independent Alliance, independent Ministers and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: They work for the Chief Whip and the Independents. Of course, those who work for the Independents may well vote for Independents. In terms of the cost, I have fewer political staff than all three of my predecessors-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----and the total payroll cost is also lower. My forebear had 23 staff and iar Taoiseach Cowen had more again.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I do not have the exact figure, but it is the lowest of-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I know it for a fact because I make sure it is lower.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: There are also financial and factual reasons. It is good that I have fewer advisers-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----and that their salaries cost less than for any of the last three Taoisigh going back to the 1990s.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It is uniquely unusual that when this issue arises in the Chamber, I am criticised for not having more advisers-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I am asked why I do not have an adviser for X or an adviser for Y. It must be the first time in decades when a Taoiseach has been criticised for not having enough advisers. I do not have as many as the previous three Taoisigh.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I will provide the figure for the Deputy, but I do not have it in front of me.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Yes.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: To answer the other questions I was asked, I have not given any instruction to Ministers on who to hire. On occasion, they will ask my opinion if they are going to hire someone. They do not always do it, but they usually do. It is true that a number of journalists have been hired by Ministers as their advisers. One of my advisers is a former journalist. It is particularly useful, if one...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I believe it is useful experience for a person-----