Results 15,621-15,640 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Strategic Communications Unit (13 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: As at 31 January 2018, there were fifteen staff working in the Strategic Communications Unit, the breakdown of which is set out in the following table. Grade Number Director 1 Principal Officer 1 Assistant Principal 4 Higher Executive Officer 1 Higher Executive Officer equivalent (Acting) 1 Administrative Officer 3 Communications & Media Assistant 3 Clerical Officer 1 The...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (13 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The following tables detail expenditure by my Department on photography, public relations and communications advice, for the years 2016, 2017 and to the end of January, 2018. 2016 - PHOTOGRAPHY Company Detail Amount Maxwell Photography Supply of Jpeg Images of Ceann Comhairle with Queen, taken during her visit to Ireland in 2011 - January 2016 €17.22 Maxwell Photography Photography...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: As I have explained to Deputies before, in response to their concerns I have removed myself from any direct involvement in the work of the strategic communications unit, and that goes for funding, staffing, the placing of advertisements or tenders and so on. It is very much under the control of the Secretary General of my Department and the director of the unit. With regard to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I did check with my Secretary General yesterday. The provision of research and insight services was tendered and the award was given to Behaviours & Attitudes. As this work is still ongoing, the final results are not yet available. They will, however, be published in late spring as we previously committed to.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: At the meeting with Sheryl Sandberg, we principally discussed the operations of Facebook in Ireland. It is expanding and will take on a few hundred extra people, in particular in East Wall. We discussed how more could be done to protect social media users, particularly children. There was a discussion with the US companies present on their perspectives on the tax changes that have been...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Apologies.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Strategic Communications Unit (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 to 17, inclusive, together. As part of the modernisation of Government communications there is greater use of social media. Four campaigns undertaken by the strategic communications unit in 2017 had an informational video component which was promoted on social media including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter at a total cost of €21,895. It is...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The position on Brexit is that we are part of the European Union and we are one of the 27 in terms of the negotiations. We are not negotiating bilaterally. The European Union and the United Kingdom are currently beginning negotiations on the withdrawal agreement and the transition period. Our objective is to ensure that the commitments and guarantees given in December are fully reflected...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Urban Renewal Schemes (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I echo the remarks of Deputy Howlin on the violence that has occurred in the north-east inner city and share his concern and horror at what has been going on in an attempt to eliminate an entire family. The people of the north-east inner city, like everyone else, just want to be able to live their lives and go to school, college and work and do not deserve to have this level of violence on...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): World Economic Forum (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 14, inclusive, together. Following an invitation from Professor Klaus Schwab, I attended the 2018 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos from 24 to 26 January. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Pascal Donohoe, also attended as an invitee. This was my first time to participate in the annual meeting, the theme of which was creating a...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Urban Renewal Schemes (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The programme implementation board chaired by Michael Stone is overseeing the implementation of actions recommended in the Mulvey report for the social and economic regeneration of the north-east inner city and will shortly publish its 2017 report, including comprehensive details of spending to date. The board, which comprises...

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: As I understand it, that report was commissioned by An Post. It is not a Government report. There has been a Government report, which was commissioned by the Minister, Deputy Ring, which outlined a number of proposals that could be implemented to make the post office network more sustainable in the longer term.

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On foot of the Deputy's query, I sought information from the Minister for Health. He assures me that the HSE is committed to ensuring that a full elective orthopaedic service is restored in Merlin Park. In September 2017, the leaks in the roof of the building which houses the orthopaedic theatres occurred, necessitating the closure of both. There has been a full repair to the membrane of...

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I walked a section of that great greenway near Millstreet. I find the Ó Suilleabháin Beara story very compelling. I walked it with one of our former colleagues, former Deputy Áine Collins, and I provided funding for a bridge along the walkway. The issue of greenways is an infrastructure funding matter. I am confident that money would be provided for additional greenways and...

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am not sure to which group the Deputy refers, whether it is the Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA, or the HSE national drugs committee.

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I will ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the matter. It will be answered in the Topical Issue Debate later so that will be done today.

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I fully expect that the route will be the original one proposed because it is not only about linking Cork city and Limerick city but it is an important part of the Atlantic economic corridor, linking Cork to Limerick and Galway. It is vital that towns such as Charleville and Buttevant should be bypassed. A different route would still have to bypass those towns and would not make sense.

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I do not have any specific information on the matter but I will raise it with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I will ask the Minister, Deputy Bruton, to respond.

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, to respond.