Results 15,241-15,260 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: If we could solve homelessness in a day, we would do that. If it was a case of rushing through legislation or a piece of-----

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----legislation that would give everyone a house, we would of course do that. However, the Deputy was a Minister of State with responsibility for housing, sitting at the Cabinet table-----

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----for three years, and she knows as well as I do how complex this problem is.

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There was a period of seven years during which this country was so broke that we were not able to build social housing and during which the construction industry and the banks were on the floor and were not able to finance or build private housing during which time it would have been expected that 200,000 or 300,000 homes to be built.

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: However, they were not. We know the causes of that crash. I certainly do not hold the Deputy responsible for it at all or for not building more houses in those three and a half years during which she was the Minister of State with responsibility for housing.

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We are in a catch up.

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We are in a catch up scenario and we are catching up. However, it is going to take time. There is an absolute sense of urgency and emergency. We would not be providing for so many people to stay in emergency accommodation and we certainly would not have a situation where we are avoiding families having to be on the streets by making sure there is emergency accommodation available, whether...

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I totally appreciate the considerable concern that exists around the proposed sale of mortgages by Permanent TSB. It has struck a raw nerve with the people. Many people raised it with me over the weekend. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, is examining this matter. We agreed to accept in principle legislation from Fianna Fáil to extend regulation over investment funds. We are...

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We do need to make a distinction here. We need to make sure that the courts are allowed to hear cases. There may be circumstances whereby somebody can pay but is refusing to pay. That is a different circumstance and we have a good court system. People go into the courts, tell their story and their case is heard. The courts generally make the right decisions and do not provide eviction...

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It is always the case when a new law is debated in this House that there is the law itself and the law of unintended consequences. There is a distinction to be made between people who are making an honest attempt to pay their mortgage, to settle their debts and pay as much as they can pay, and people who could do so but who are not. There is a difference in that regard and any reasonable...

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am happy to answer that. We engage the UK Government by meeting it all the time. In the past ten days, I have spoken twice to, and met once with, Prime Minister May. Last Monday, the Tánaiste met Mr. David Lidington who is the de factodeputy Prime Minister. We engage with them by meeting them face-to-face and talking to them on the phone and when we do not do that, our officials do...

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The figures for the number of people in emergency accommodation that were published yesterday are bad and they are distressing for everyone affected by homelessness and for everyone who is working night and day to resolve the enormous social problem we face. As the Deputy correctly pointed out, they are disappointing given that they had gone down in December. Many of us hoped that was the...

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It is all about housing among other things, and it contains a commitment to build 110,000 new social homes and apartments over the next ten years.

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: That is happening. There were only a few hundred social homes built in 2016 but thousands were built last year and the number is being ramped up again this year, although it will take time to get on top of this problem. Our major concern today is rough sleepers given the bad weather people are facing. We are ensuring there is food, health and shelter for everyone who needs it. Teams...

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The way the warning system works is that warnings are issued by Met Éireann. Status yellow means people should be aware, status orange means they should be prepared and status red means they should act. It is not as simple as just saying red automatically means school closure because one could have a red alert arising from a chemical spill at an industrial facility, which would have no...

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The decision on whether schools close is either made by boards of management on an individual basis or on the advice and instruction of the national emergency co-ordination group. The group is meeting now and the Department of Education and Skills is represented at that meeting. It will issue clear guidance to schools with regard to tomorrow and Friday at its press conference after the...

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The intergovernmental conference can be convened only at a date that is agreed by both the British and Irish Governments and such a date has not yet been agreed. That is not to say that we are not in regular contact, however. I have spoken twice on the telephone to Prime Minister May in the past ten days and we have also met in person. I recognise the constructive and measured approach...

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The national emergency co-ordination group is meeting as we speak. I cannot be there because I am here. The Government is represented at the meeting by the Minister-----

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I was interrupted within 20 seconds that time. The interruptions are starting even quicker as the days go on. The Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and the Minister of State, Deputy English, are representing the Government at the meeting of the national emergency co-ordination group which is taking place at present. Further guidance on all of these matters will be given at the press...

Leaders' Questions (28 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: School transport has been suspended today for safety reasons in the areas covered by the red alert. School transport is not the main way people get to school in many parts of the country, where pupils are more likely to get to school by car or by walking. I have asked the national emergency co-ordination group to provide a clear instruction on what schools should do tomorrow and on Friday...