Results 12,281-12,300 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I understand next week there will be a debate on CAMHS, which will provide an opportunity to air some of these issues. We have hired additional psychologists. We hired additional assistant psychologists as well in the past couple of years. We are recruiting. However, there is an Irish and international shortage of healthcare professionals, even in countries that pay far more than we can...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. There were three meetings of Cabinet committee G in 2018, that is, on 18 January and 16 April and, most recently, on 12 December. The next meeting of the committee has not yet been scheduled. Cabinet committee G provides political oversight of developments in relation to justice and equality issues, including implementation of the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: If I am allowed, I will reply.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. First, there are ambulances. The majority of paramedics and ambulance staff in the National Ambulance Service are working today. They are represented by three unions which are recognised by the HSE, namely, SIPTU, Unite, and Fórsa. Anyone is free to join a breakaway union if they wish but there is no requirement that a public or private sector...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It not a requirement that employers must recognise every union of which someone is a member. The employer already recognises three unions, namely, Unite, SIPTU and Fórsa.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It can and will be delivered. It is already under construction. The outpatient and urgent care centre in Blanchardstown is almost finished.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Construction in Tallaght will begin in the next couple of months.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: It was never in contention that it would be cheaper to build on a greenfield site. A decision was taken to trilocate, to locate it with a major adult hospital-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: -----an academic research centre and the National Maternity Hospital. It was never in contention that it would be cheaper to locate it on a greenfield site.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: As I understand it, any worker, even someone who is not in employment, is free to join a trade union if he or she so wishes. However, it is not a requirement that any employer, whether a public employer or a private employer, has to collect the union dues on behalf of that union and nor is it a requirement that the employer necessarily recognises that union.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: As things stand, the HSE recognises three unions already that represent paramedics and ambulance staff. They are all unions affiliated to ICTU. The Government engages with the union movement through ICTU.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Is it not remarkable how so many Deputies can ask a question but they will not permit an answer?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I apologise if I directed the question to the wrong Minister.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I know this is a serious issue which is of real concern to him. I know that he will also have an opportunity to speak directly to the Minister, Deputy Creed, about it as well. There is a judicial review under way in the courts which relates particularly to the issue of mackerel. Given that it is before the courts, it is probably not advisable for me to make any comment...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I assure the Deputy that the Government is very committed to the fishing industry, particularly at this time and in the context of the threats it faces as a result of Brexit. When we are dealing with Brexit, and I think 30% or 40% of Government time is now taken up with Brexit, our farmers, fishermen and agrifood industry are at the forefront of my mind and the minds of all in this...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I do not need to wait for the report to be published next year to offer my sorrow and regret, and that of the Government, for all that happened to women in mother and baby homes and the children born in them. Many of them had very negative experiences and the Government, this Parliament and the State are very sorry for all of that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: I know my predecessor as Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, has made a similar statement. However, we must allow the commission of investigation to do its work properly, study all the documents, have the hearings and make findings of fact. That is the point of setting up these commissions.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: We set them up to allow them to do their work. The Minister, Deputy Zappone, with the support of the Government, is examining means by which we may be able to provide some help and well-being supports to former residents while they and we await the final report. With regard to burial sites, we expect a comprehensive report by the middle of March 2019. The sites being examined are Tuam,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: Most of them are new builds. We need to get that figure up to 10,000 this year.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2019)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has granted a request made by the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes to extend the timeframe for the delivery of its reports by one year. The commission is now due to submit its final report by 2020. I note that the Deputy has acknowledged that we have to allow the commission which is independent to do its work. At the same time, we need to acknowledge...