Results 14,961-14,980 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: First, I certainly did discuss the backstop. Prime Minister Bettel is 100% behind us on this matter, as is the Government of Luxembourg. The Deputy may even have heard President Tusk's speech two or three days later. I cannot really remember when he met me, it might have been a week later. He pointed out in his speech that the first issue Xavier Bettel raised with him was Ireland. He did...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Is our time up?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I cannot answer in three or four seconds.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We will then spend probably the entirety of the transition period negotiating the legal text of that.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The day after the referendum, Deputy Michael Noonan told me that some people view Brexit as a storm, as something that will be rough for a while and will then blow over, but it will not be like that. He said that Brexit would go on for years and years, and he is absolutely right.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There was not time.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 to 17, inclusive, together. I welcomed the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, to Dublin on Monday 5 March. Our meeting was part of my programme of strategic engagement with other EU leaders, which is strengthening our relationships with key partners across the full range of issues on the EU's agenda. Xavier Bettel knows Dublin very well from his...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I feel one coming.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: First, to answer the questions on the withdrawal agreement, nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: That includes the transition period. What was agreed last week was the term of the transition period which, I believe, is a good development. Most people in Ireland want there to be a transition period. It is good for business. It is good for farmers, exporters and those whose jobs need to be secured. We now know that there will be a transition period. It will run until the end of 2020...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Papal Visit (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I assume the park will be reinstated fully and quickly. Certainly, I will look into the matter and ensure it is part of the discussions and deliberations in the months ahead. Rather than simply reinstate it, however, Project Ireland 2040 contains a commitment to upgrade the Phoenix Park with new facilities, in particular the full restoration of the Magazine Fort and a bridge to link it to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Papal Visit (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: That is a matter for Pope Francis to decide.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 13, inclusive, together. I was very pleased to welcome the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, to Dublin on 8 March. Our discussions, which took place ahead of the March European Council, covered the Brexit negotiations, EU trade policy, economic and monetary union, taxation challenges posed in the digital era and a number of foreign...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Papal Visit (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: As I mentioned before, although this is not a state visit it will be treated as such in terms of security costs, media requirements, protocol, a transport plan and crowd control. We anticipate that there will be a requirement for security. It is expected that approximately 3,000 international media will be in Dublin for the World Meeting of Families. There will be the necessary protocol on...

Order of Business (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There is quite a lot on the Cabinet agenda today, over 30 items, 11 of which we still have to address. The Cabinet meeting will resume this afternoon. We have not yet finished the discussion on the abortion legislation but it is intended that by this evening, we will be able to publish the general scheme of the Bill. On the proposal to require a two-thirds majority to be able to change any...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Papal Visit (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. Last week Pope Francis announced that he will visit Ireland for the World Meeting of Families from Saturday, 25 August to Sunday, 26 August 2018. While the main impetus for the visit is the World Meeting of Families, there will also be a number of official and public events. Full details of the programme will be released at a...

Order of Business (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The timing of a debate is a matter for the House but 17 countries in Europe have made this decision as have 23 around the world. These are government decisions. I am not aware of any country that makes these decisions based on a parliamentary debate and vote.

Leaders' Questions (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: As I indicated in my reply, it is our intention to ratify the optional protocol following the completion of our first reporting cycle, at the latest. That makes sense. After years and decades of delay we have now ratified the convention and it is our intention to ratify the optional protocol as well after the first reporting cycle.

Leaders' Questions (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: After promises for many years by many Governments this has been done. I compliment the work of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, on making sure it was done. Vindicating the rights and freedoms of people with disabilities and providing opportunities for them goes way beyond conventions. It includes matters such as: the increase in the disability allowance, disability benefit and...

Leaders' Questions (27 Mar 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Government agreed at Cabinet on 5 December 2017 to proceed with the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. A motion allowing us to do so and to approve the terms of the convention was passed in Dáil Éireann on 7 March. The purpose of the convention is to promote, protect and ensure full and equal human rights and fundamental...