Results 12,881-12,900 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Communications (27 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 24 together. I spoke by phone to the British Prime Minister, Theresa May on 5 November, when we discussed the current state of the Brexit negotiations. We both emphasised our commitment to avoiding a hard border and the need for a legally operable backstop. The Prime Minister raised the possibility of a review mechanism for the backstop. I indicated an...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Seanad Reform (27 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I established an Implementation Group on Seanad Reform to consider the Manning report and develop specific proposals to legislate for Seanad Reform. The Implementation Group comprises Members of the Oireachtas with the assistance of outside experts, as appropriate. Since its initial meeting on 9th May 2018, the Group has met eleven times.The Group is due to report back in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I travelled to Helsinki earlier this month, where I had bilateral meetings with the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, and the Prime Minister of Finland, Juha Sipilä. Finland and Ireland are like-minded on many issues, and both bilateral meetings were very warm and constructive. In my meeting with Prime Minister Sipila we discussed Finland’s upcoming Presidency of the EU...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 31 together. I travelled to Paris where I was honoured to represent Ireland at the Armistice Day Commemorations on 11 November. I am grateful to President Higgins for offering to delay his inauguration ceremony that day, to enable government and other representatives to attend commemoration ceremonies across Ireland, the U.K. and France. Eighty-four...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Brexit Issues (27 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, led by the Tánaiste, has overall responsibility for Brexit. That said, Brexit will have implications for each Government Department and Agency. Within my Department, staff across several divisions contribute to the work on Brexit. The International, European Union and Northern Ireland division covers work on all international, EU and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Data (27 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: My Department, as outlined in the Strategy Statement, provides support services for 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...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: British-Irish Council (27 Nov 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 for Natural Resources, Community Affairs and Digital Development, Sean Canney TD. The discussion at the summit covered political developments for Administrations since the last summit in June, including on the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: European Council Meetings (27 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I attended the special meeting of the European Council on Sunday, 25 November in Brussels. I had no formal bilateral meetings at this Summit.  However I had the opportunity to engage informally with my EU counterparts in the margins of the Summit.  The focus of our exchanges was on Brexit, where I took the opportunity to thank them for their solidarity in relation to our concerns...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (27 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has not paid any fees or rendered any services to the person or company in question for the years 2013 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (22 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The provisions for discharge of enlisted personnel are set out in Defence Forces Regulation (DFR) A.10 made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954 (as amended). The Regulations set out the specific details required to be met to effect a discharge such as reasons, conditions and prescribed military authority for effecting the discharge.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Ombudsman Complaints (22 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Section 6(2) of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004, provides for the making of complaints by former members of the Defence Forces. It states (2) A former member of the Defence Forces may, subject to this Act, make a complaint to the Ombudsman concerning an action if it has affected that former member and was taken while he or she was a serving member of the Defence Forces by...

Brexit: Motion (21 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I move:That Dáil Éireann supports the Draft Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (the draft Withdrawal Agreement), as published on 14th November, 2018, including the draft Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland which forms an integral part of the Draft Agreement. On...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (21 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Once again, the Government has made no preparation or plan whatsoever for the installation of a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, lest anyone think so. I do not want to speculate too much on a no-deal scenario because the truth is that no one really knows for sure what would happen if there were one. If there were one, no one knows how long that no deal would last. It is my...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (21 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It certainly could be a disastrous few weeks. This is why we must think about these things. No one knows for sure, however, what would happen in a scenario in which the UK were to crash out of the European Union without a deal. We do know the UK would have certain obligations under the rules of World Trade Organization, WTO, for example, but we do not even know if it will be able to join...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (21 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I have always thought that when it comes to Northern Ireland, we need to listen to the DUP and respect its views but also acknowledge that there are other parties too - Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Green Party, Alliance - that represent half, perhaps the majority, of people in Northern Ireland. I refer to the UUP as well. The leader of the UUP was at our party conference last weekend-----

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (21 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: And People Before Profit. I note and very much welcome the fact that non-political voices in Northern Ireland have now started to speak, and speak largely in favour of this agreement. I refer to the Ulster Farmers Union, representatives of which I have met in recent weeks and to whom I have spoken about this. I have met the business community in Northern Ireland several times. It has also...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (21 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----they may do so today, and I imagine they would be broadly in favour of the agreement. I refer to NGOs as well. What is really missing, though, and Deputy Howlin is absolutely right about this, is a Northern Ireland Executive, a First Minister and a deputy First Minister. When a person is in the role of First Minister or deputy First Minister, he or she is much more than a party...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (21 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 to 18, inclusive, together. I met the leader of the DUP, Mrs. Arlene Foster, on 15 October when we discussed many issues, including the current political situation in Northern Ireland and Brexit. I emphasised the Government's full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and our continuing determination to secure the effective operation of all of its...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): European Council Meetings (21 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their questions. As I understand it, under the international law of the sea, vessels have an obligation to rescue people in distress. If a vessel is in distress and people are lost at sea or at risk of drowning-----

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): European Council Meetings (21 Nov 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----there is an international obligation on nearby vessels to engage in search and rescue. Of course, we have done this. Naval Service vessels have been involved in search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean, as have many other navies. We must also bear in mind that in doing so, we must not do anything that helps human trafficking. Part of the mission's mandate in the Mediterranean...