Results 14,441-14,460 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Leaders' Questions (15 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It is a sub-organisation of the National Screening Service which is a sub-organisation of health and well-being, which is a sub-organisation of the HSE.

Leaders' Questions (15 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy has asked questions of a number of people, among others, the Minister for Health, the chief medical officer and the Secretary General of the Department of Health. I cannot speak for all those people and it would be wrong for me to answer questions on behalf of others.

Leaders' Questions (15 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: In my case, the answer to all of the Deputy's questions is "No" and, to the best of my knowledge, the answer is also "No" with respect to all of the other individuals concerned. The Department of Health will publish documents today. These follow on from a search of records and documents in the Department which has been ongoing for some time. To give the Deputy a rough idea, 40 million...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Functions (15 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: As you would expect, there is close cooperation between my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which has primary responsibility for matters relating to Northern Ireland, North South cooperation and British Irish relations. Officials from the two Departments work very closely together across the range of issues relating to Northern Ireland and British Irish affairs....

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Functions (15 May 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 Strategist...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committee Meetings (15 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I chaired two Cabinet Committee meetings in April - Cabinet Committee E (Health) and Cabinet Committee G (Justice and Equality).

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Budgets (15 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: No amount is set aside on an annual basis by my Department for contingent liabilities. If a contingent liability arises, a note is included in the "Miscellaneous" section of my Department's Appropriation Account. My Department's (audited) Appropriation Account is published on an annual basis by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Contracts Data (15 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has had no contracts with the companies in question during the period in question.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committee Meetings (15 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Government approved the establishment of Cabinet Committee C on 5 July 2017. This Cabinet Committee covers issues relating to the European Union, and assists the Government in its ongoing consideration of Brexit. It also supports my participation as a member of the European Council. Cabinet Committee C first met on 11 September 2017 and again on the 13 February this year. The next...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Legal Cases (15 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Settlements entered into by the State with third parties, do from time to time, contain confidentiality clauses because, for example, of the sensitive or commercial nature of the case. It is sometimes the position that the plaintiff or victim seeks confidentiality, and sometimes part of a settlement only might be subject to a confidentiality clause. The State takes the public interest into...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Data (15 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Britain and Northern Ireland Section forms part of the International, EU and Northern Ireland Division of my Department which is headed by a Second Secretary General. Within my Department, the Britain and Northern Ireland Section supports me, in my role as Taoiseach, on Northern Ireland matters. The Section also supports me in my contacts with the British Prime Minister more broadly...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am grateful for this opportunity to reflect on our work to legislate effectively and apply the best thinking to public policy. I am accompanied by my colleague, Mr. Martin Fraser, Secretary General. As part of the programme for Government and the commitment to strengthening Cabinet accountability, it was agreed that all Ministers would appear before their relevant Oireachtas committees and...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We need to be wise to the threats to our economic recovery and stability. It is very easy and tempting to assume that the economy is now fixed and that we do not need to be concerned with it any longer and that we should move on to other problems. I do not know how many times in our history we have made that mistake only for the economy to become unstuck again and fall back into the cycle...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: To answer Deputy Brophy, we might discuss this again offline but I expect the Department of Finance to engage with the committee and give members any access to information or assistance it can. It is early days with this committee but it could have a role to play in the future. It will never be at the level of the budgetary committee that exists in US Congress, for example. That is a...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Starting with the issue of investment in education, I agree with Deputy O'Loughlin. I have a portrait of Seán Lemass in my office. It has returned to the Taoiseach's office. I think John Bruton had it, and certainly former Fianna Fáil taoisigh had the portrait there as well. I have it there to remind me of two things. The first is that it reminds me every day that I am part of...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy would be very welcome.

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I think overall a trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur would be good. Trade agreements the European Union has made have been hugely beneficial, including the CETA with Canada and others made with South Korea and Japan more recently. One of the ironic things about Brexit is that in leaving the European Union the United Kingdom will walk out of all of these really good...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On the cost of doing business, I know Deputy Butler has raised this issue. The rising cost of business crops up frequently when I meet business people. Obviously costs are passed on to customers and insurance is a significant cost. The approach we took with car insurance and health insurance has largely worked. The cost of health insurance stabilised following a significant increase and...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: As a means for preparing for Brexit, there is a range of information and support available. Enterprise Ireland is running a very good campaign to encourage small and medium-sized businesses, SMEs, to participate in the Brexit readiness check. There are a lot of supports available, including access to low-cost finance for small businesses. When I met businesses representatives some weeks...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----there is a risk that some pension funds or employers might decide to get in ahead of it. While we are aware of this, we do not want to bring forward legislation that might do more harm than good.