Results 13,461-13,480 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: In councils all around the country, Sinn Féin votes down social and affordable housing-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----because the truth is that Sinn Féin does not want to solve this problem but wants it to get worse because it believes it can benefit from it politically.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: That is a real shame.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Taoiseach knows which amendment I am referring to. That is what the Government needs to do. If he is prepared to do that, he should say so and, if not, he should make that clear. Let us then go out to the gate and we will test who has the credibility problem.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: As is so evident, Sinn Féin's only interest when it comes to housing-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----is to exploit this issue for political gain and try to turn it into a party political issue. That is what it is seeking to do today in the Chamber and no doubt that is what it will seek to do outside the House today. We have heard the charge again that the Government or Fine Gael has some ideological objection to social housing-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----and that we believe the market provides all the solutions. That is a political charge. I expect to hear political charges from Sinn Féin but I am disappointed to hear it from others. That charge is absolute bunkum. This is a housing crisis and an emergency. In a crisis or an emergency, one tries to provide new homes as quickly as possible by any mechanism one can find. That...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I know that the issue of housing is of huge concern to people across the country and that many will express that concern by attending the protest today. I know that many people are frustrated by the pace of delivery. I, too, am frustrated by it, as is everyone in government. We all understand and share those concerns and frustrations and the desire to get results much more quickly. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Government-Church Dialogue (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I acknowledge the criticism from Deputy Micheál Martin on the divestment of schools. Surveys of preschool children are being conducted in different school areas. When they are completed, they will inform us what parents want. That will allow us to speed up the process again.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Government-Church Dialogue (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On hospitals and healthcare institutions, the Minister for Health has asked Ms Catherine Day, former head of the civil service in the European Union, to lead some work on the future relationship and governance of our hospitals for us. I have not had sight of that work yet. I am not quite sure how advanced it is but I look forward to seeing the outcome once it is ready. Volunteerism in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I had a chance to look at the C&AG's findings on tax and will take a closer look at them over the weekend. I believe everyone should pay his or her fair share of tax in Ireland. As a Government, we have prioritised taking the lowest-paid out of the income tax net altogether. Approximately 30% of people in Ireland, the lowest-paid, no longer have to pay income tax, which is a very good...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There are also people who own businesses, and a business may well be worth €50 million, but against that there may be significant debts. Many people claim to be rich but might not be that rich at all when the levels of debts and borrowings they have are taken into account. Of course, one may own a business that is valued quite highly but not have any income from that business....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----between wealth and income. As for corporate profits tax, much has been done in recent years to close some of those loopholes, whether it be the double Irish, some of the loopholes and incentives in respect of intellectual property, statelessness or accounting changes. This is why we are recognised by the OECD and others as being compliant and transparent when it comes to our...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: A couple of things struck me which I am concerned about. What is proposed is reckless and irresponsible. Sinn Féin proposes increased borrowing. Now is not the time for us to increase our borrowing. When the economy is going well and growing fast and one has full employment-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----that is when one should be balancing the books and trying to run a surplus. One does not increase borrowing. Whatever social problems we have now, they will be much worse in a few years' time if we make reckless financial decisions.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Now is not the time to increase borrowing; now is the time to balance the books. There is also a proposal to cancel the rainy day fund. With Brexit coming up in only a few months' time, cancelling the rainy day fund is a very reckless-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----proposal from Sinn Féin. There is also a proposal for 20 tax hikes, raising €3 billion. When one's economic policy is based on 20 tax hikes raising €3 billion, it is not long before one must start hitting average people with those tax hikes. One might get away with this in one go, but if one raises that amount of money out of taxation over five years, it is not long...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Government-Church Dialogue (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 12, inclusive, together. I met Pope Francis during his visit to Dublin Castle on Saturday, 25 August. The meeting provided an opportunity for both of us to discuss a number of issues, though regrettably not at any great length because of the short duration of our meeting. I welcomed Pope Francis, who thanked me for the warm welcome he had received...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 8, inclusive, together. Cabinet committee A covers issues relating to the economy, jobs, the labour market, competitiveness, productivity, trade, the action plan for rural development, the digital economy and pensions. Recent developments in these areas include the publication of the pensions road map by the Minister for Employment and Social...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Oct 2018)

Leo Varadkar: In terms of the forthcoming EU summits, there is a regular summit in October and a regular summit in December, and there is the possibility of a special summit in November, if it is necessary. That has yet to be confirmed but we agreed there would be one if it is needed either to confirm an agreement or to study the fact that we do not yet have an agreement. Obviously, I would much prefer...