Results 1,201-1,220 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I do not think it is correct to say that the Government expected the offer would be refused, because a very similar offer was accepted by the community and voluntary sector when it was put to a ballot. There was an 80% vote in favour. On this occasion, a decision was taken by the unions not to put the offer to a ballot of their members. It is unfortunate that did not happen. I believe...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot speak for Lough Neagh. That is in Northern Ireland. As the Deputy points out, perhaps others can answer those questions. Regarding water quality, we have a big investment programme in improving our water quality, led by Irish Water. Many things contribute to pollution in our waterways. It is not all about farmers. It is not right to speak to them as if they are entirely to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy Ryan for raising the issue. It is difficult for me to answer it without knowing the details. I know that hospitals and GP surgeries have access to dressings. Maybe there is a particular dressing in this case. It is difficult for me to answer without knowing all the facts, but if the Deputy wants to correspond with me or the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, on it, we will try to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: We treat people coming here from Ukraine differently from those seeking international protection. People coming here from Ukraine are coming from a country at war. It is a European country. They have the benefit of the temporary protection directive, which gives them particular rights under EU law that people claiming international protection do not have. That is the reason for the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister, Deputy Coveney, is in charge of ratification. We want to join the European patent court. We do not have a definite date yet but we are working towards holding that referendum concurrently with the local and European elections next year. That is not formally or officially decided, but it is the working plan at the moment. It is up and running now and we are keen to be part of it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I cannot give the Deputy certainty today but it is something that we are considering. Many people who invested in forestry were encouraged to do so by Government and given Government grants. For many of them, this would potentially have been their pension. Now, through no fault of their own, they see their crop has been destroyed. For similar crops in similar circumstances, we...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I am in 100% agreement with Deputy Smith's remarks on this matter. I hope to have the opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister next week at the European Political Community meeting in Granada. We will once again have an opportunity to impress on him the deeply felt opposition of the Government, of the five major parties in Northern Ireland, and particularly of victims' groups and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I appreciate this is an important issue for the Deputy and her constituents. I cannot speak on behalf of the NTA which has its statutory remit and does not have to get Government approval for decisions of this nature. However, I know the NTA has met with community representatives and residents before, and I do not see why it should not on this occasion.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I will make inquiries.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: While it might not have been an inquiry, I understand a review of that nature was done which I think the Deputy has seen. I would need to talk to the Minister for Justice and the Deputy offline as to what the next appropriate steps might be.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: It is really shocking to see the increase the number of road fatalities in the past year. Given so many years of progress to see such an increase this year is really shocking. I know the condolences of the House will be extended to all the families and communities affected. The quality of our roads forms part of road safety but it is not the only part. Driver behaviour is much more...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: That issue has been raised on a number of occasions in the House and I have never received a satisfactory explanation as to why that rule exists because private bus operators have drivers aged over 70. I understand that on occasion Bus Éireann will contract private operators with drivers aged over 70. It may be linked to their pension scheme or to an agreement with unions. I do not...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I know that Dublin Mid-West, not unlike my constituency of Dublin West has a rapidly growing population and therefore needs many new schools and school extensions. They are happening. I know many have already happened in Lucan, Clondalkin and Rathcoole. We have a very big school building programme with funding of over €1 billion...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I want to join everyone in this House in thanking and commending the members of the joint task force, including An Garda Síochána, Revenue, the customs service and the Naval Service, which in co-operation with the Air Corps and the Army Ranger Wing successfully intercepted a major shipment of controlled drugs at sea yesterday in very challenging conditions. The...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: There have been Dáil debates on this matter and there is no reason there cannot be such a debate again. The Deputy has the option of using her own time for this. Alternatively, the Business Committee can prioritise it for discussion in the Chamber. Of course I extend my sympathies again to the O'Farrell family. There have been quite a number of reviews into this case. There has been...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I do not have a date for the publication of the review. I will make inquiries with the Minister, Deputy Foley. I appreciate that this is a big issue around the country. I know from reports from our constituency offices that many children who are entitled to school transport have not got it this year. Some of this is down to driver shortages but we need to find solutions.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: We very much value the work carried out by these organisations and the people who work in them. As I have said before, it is important to understand that they are not public sector employees. We do not determine what their salary is, what their pensions are, who gets hired or who does not get hired. They are outside of the public service. However, the Government is the main funder of all...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: We have a system according to which we decide what roles qualify for work permits. Employers have to meet a set of minimum terms and conditions so that workers are not exploited. Employers need to make an effort to recruit from the entire European Economic Area, from which they may recruit, including places like Romania and Bulgaria, for example, where many agriculture workers come from....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. He is right that more than 1 million people pay the highest rate of income tax in Ireland. One hits the highest rate of tax at a much lower level than would be the case in the majority of our competitor countries. We have raised that threshold. Not so long ago it was €33,000 a year and it is now €40,000. We want to raise it further in forthcoming...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (27 Sep 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. At the outset I want to say that I support the gardaí and the work they are doing. In particular today, I want to commend the phenomenal work done by An Garda, the Defence Forces, the Revenue Commissioners and the customs service in interdicting a vessel off Wexford which may be the biggest interdiction of illegal drugs in Irish history. That would not...