Results 12,661-12,680 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Legislative Programme (11 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 76 together. No legislation has been passed by my Department since March 2011.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Schemes (11 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There are no grant or funding schemes currently being operated by my Department. The last grant scheme which was operated by my Department was funding for local diaspora initiatives and projects in 2016. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade took over responsibility for local diaspora initiatives from 2017.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Sports Facilities Provision (11 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The facility at Ballybough was secured by Dublin City Council following the surrender of a lease assigned to a local pigeon club. Finance to refurbish the facility was provided directly from Dublin City Council’s own resources, and through the North East Inner City Initiative as part of a series of short term actions. Following the completion of works in Quarter 3 2018, it was...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Brexit Issues (11 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The negotiations on both the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and political declaration on the framework for the EU-UK future relationship, both of which were endorsed by the European Council on 25 November, were conducted on behalf of the EU27 by the EU's Chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, and the Commission's Article 50 Taskforce, on the basis of guidance from the European Council. Brexit is...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Data (11 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 to 89, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department and NESDO, the only agency under the aegis of my Department, is set out in the following tables. Department of the Taoiseach* Grade Male Female Total No. Male Female Secretary General 1 0 1 100% - Second Secretary General 1 0 1 100% - Assistant Secretary 3...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: EU Bodies (11 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is an advisory body whose function is to represent economic and social interests in the Union’s decision-making process. The EESC has 350 members, who are drawn from economic and social interest groups in Europe. Members are nominated by national governments and appointed by the Council of the European Union for a renewable five...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am not sure if the UK Parliament is an example we want to follow given the chaos we are seeing in Westminster.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The agreement we have took 18 months to negotiate. It is 500 pages long and 28 Governments agreed to it. The suggestion that somehow, if it is defeated, we would find ourselves negotiating with a parliament really is quite unworkable. The idea of a parliamentary delegation entering the tunnel to reopen the talk is not feasible.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I appreciate Deputy Martin did not say that but that is how some people could interpret one of the motions passed yesterday. When it comes to legal advice from the Attorney General, it is my strong view that legal advice should be privileged. It is the case with the legal advice provided to many people that it should be privileged to those who receive it. Deputy Haughey also asked about...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: He will also have an interest in guarding the interests of our fishermen, who take many of their most valuable catches, including mackerel, shrimp and prawns, from UK waters. That work is under way. Many people also expressed the view that, given that the Barnier task force model had worked very well as the agent in negotiating for the 28 member states, we should have a similar model for...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions No. 3 to 8, inclusive, together. I attended the special meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 25 November. At our meeting, we endorsed the withdrawal agreement and approved the political declaration. This was a positive step, representing the culmination of more than 20 months of difficult negotiations. The withdrawal agreement sets out the terms for the...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): British-Irish Council (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their questions. Deputy McDonald asked about representation for Northern Ireland in the European Parliament after Brexit. The sad reality is that after Brexit, Northern Ireland will no longer be part of the European Union. We hope it is the case that if the withdrawal agreement is ratified, important elements of EU law and regulations will continue to apply in...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Staff Data (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: She is the Minister in her own Department and is doing an exceptional job. Deputy Howlin complained about the Government claiming credit for anything that is good but not wanting to associate itself with things that are bad. Often, when I am in this House, it feels like the shoe is on the other foot. The Government gets no credit for all the things it is doing and the successes it has...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): British-Irish Council (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I attended the 31st British-Irish Council, BIC, Summit in the Isle of Man on Friday, 9 November, hosted by Chief Minister Howard Quale. I was accompanied by the Minister of State with responsibility for natural resources, community affairs and digital development, Deputy Sean Canney. The discussion at the summit covered political developments for administrations since the last summit in...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: With regard to the matter raised by Deputy Breathnach, I would also be happy to see that document published. I thought it had been published as an annexe to the withdrawal agreement but perhaps it has not been so I will double-check. As a UK-EU paper, it is not in our gift to publish it but I see no reason it should not be published. That information should also be available to people in...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The tax affairs of any individual company are kept confidential by the company and the Revenue Commissioners so I would not assume that the figures the Deputy put on the record are correct.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Staff Data (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: My Department, as outlined in the strategy statement, provides assistance to the Taoiseach and the Government, including the Independent members of Government, through the Government secretariat, the parliamentary liaison unit, the programme for Government office and the Cabinet committee structure to ensure Government business is managed to the highest standards. The chief strategist for...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Staff Data (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The talks on the review and renewal of the confidence and supply agreement are ongoing between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The House and members of the public will know the outcome I have put forward, which is that we should not have an election until the summer of 2020 and we should agree a date for an election in the summer of 2020. I am very keen to get down to talking about the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I share her concerns, horror and disgust at what is happening in Yemen and the impact on civilians there in particular. The Government has made a decision to provide funding through the UN and other agencies for humanitarian assistance in Yemen. We will increase that next year. We have joined with our EU and UN colleagues in calling...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Dec 2018)

Leo Varadkar: As Deputy McDonald will acknowledge, the Government does not set the price of energy. It is regulated by an independent regulator and is largely related to the cost of oil and gas on international markets. That is not something anyone in this country can control. It is, however, important to help people who may be struggling with fuel bills. What supports are available? There is the fuel...