Results 13,881-13,900 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Pre-European Council: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, will speak on the other issues on the agenda of the European Council including innovation and digital, the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, and external relations. I look forward to engaging with my EU colleagues at the European Council, while always keeping in mind the best interests of Ireland and Europe. I look forward to reporting back to the...

Pre-European Council: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On 28 and 29 June, I will attend a meeting of the European Council in Brussels. I will also attend a meeting of the European Council in its Article 50 format and a eurozone summit. The meeting of the European Council proper on Thursday will focus on security and defence, migration, jobs, growth and competitiveness, innovation and digital issues, the multi-annual financial framework, and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Structured Dialogue Process (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, was present because social justice issues were discussed with the religious groups. Members will be familiar with organisations such as Crosscare, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice, all of which are Catholic organisations but which have a lot of knowledge about...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Papal Visit (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: They are part of the 4,000.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Papal Visit (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It may be at the end but it is not yet. We have only had 2,000 so far. The reason we have only had 2,000 thus far is we have been unable to seek agreement from the Italian authorities to have people interviewed by the Garda before they come into the country. Greece has agreed to that but Italy has not. It is something that I want to talk to the Italian Prime Minister about when I meet him...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Structured Dialogue Process (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. On 22 January 2018 I met with representatives of the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist churches. I was accompanied by the Minister for Justice and Equality, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the Minister for Education and Skills, the Minister for Health, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Papal Visit (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The event at Dublin Castle will of course be space-limited but it is intended to invite all officeholders and party group leaders from both the Dáil and Seanad. The Government would support a visit to Northern Ireland. That would certainly be welcome, but we regret it is not possible on this occasion. Anyway, I am glad that the Pope will be getting out of Dublin and will be visiting...

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Tax offences and tax crimes are serious crimes in my view and in that of the Government. When people commit tax offences, they are not just taking money from one person they are taking money from all society. In the case of Deputy Lowry, he got a fair trial-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----and as a result of that there was a conviction and a barring from holding directorships and also a fine. It is for the courts to hear cases-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----and to make those decisions. We are a democracy, we are not the people's socialist republic. We are politicians.

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We are not going to overrule judges.

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We are a democracy and we have a separation of powers.

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It is not Soviet Russia.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Papal Visit (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 together. On Monday, 11 June, the Vatican announced the programme for the Pope's visit to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families from Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 August 2018. While the main impetus for the visit is the World Meeting of Families, it will also have a number of official and public events, including engagements with the President...

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I have not had an opportunity to examine that, but I will discuss it with the line Minister and reply to the Deputy in writing.

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am not entirely sure what the question is, but funding for section 39 organisations has been increased every year for the past three years at least. However, I appreciate that they are a diverse group. Some may have had reductions; others have had increases. Overall, there has been an increase every year for the past three years. This would be best raised as a Topical Issue matter with...

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: As I said to the House yesterday, there is no law or regulation prohibiting farmers from cutting hay before 1 July. The traditional hay meadow aspect of the GLAS scheme is voluntary and farmers opt into it. It is a voluntary action and it is part of the voluntary scheme. If farmers choose this action, they are compensated at a rate of €315 per ha, up to a maximum of 10 ha. The...

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I am not familiar with the specifics of the issue, but I know it is something that is of great concern and interest to Deputy Neville. I will meet the Minister for Education and Skills later today, and I will ask him to make direct contact with the Deputy to see what can be done.

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. The best approach to be taken in this case is for the patient concerned to get a prescription from a specialist. A specialist doctor is required, and he or she must be willing to prescribe the drug and monitor it for side effects and efficacy. The Minister for Health has already issued seven or eight licences on that basis and has not refused...

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Jun 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I did not pick up all of what Deputy Buckley said, but I believe it was related to the pilot scheme in schools for speech and language therapy. I will have to ask the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, to write to the Deputy with a detailed response.