Results 15,641-15,660 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Whether it is left, right or centre, all I hear from the Opposition every week is that we should repeat the mistakes of the past. It is terrifying.

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: As I said yesterday, there are no proposals to close any railway lines in the country. Given the fact that none was closed during a very dark period for our country economically, we do not propose to do so into the future. A lot of studies have been done already, in case the Deputy has not read them yet.

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: There is the rail review, the AECOM study and six or seven others, all of which set out how many passengers use each line and what level of increase in passenger numbers is needed for the lines to wash their faces. No one expects any line to cover its capital costs of constructing rails, stations and trains but we want to get to a point where the fares paid by passengers at least cover the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am very sorry to hear about Nicole's death and my condolences go to her family. There is no specific legislation on bullying but there is legislation of relevance on other matters, including intimidation and online safety.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: Funding for roads essentially comes from two sources, either grants from central Government or from local revenues such as commercial rates, local property tax and other ways in which local authorities have revenue. To a certain extent, therefore, local authorities can raise revenue and spend it on the roads or other priorities if they wish to do so, and there is also funding from central...

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: It is important to say first that the national drugs strategy has been produced. I launched it with the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, and the Minister, Deputy Simon Harris, only a few months ago. The Minister reports on a quarterly basis as to the particular actions that have been completed, the ones that are in train and those yet to be commenced. There is specific mention...

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am not sure if that does require a motion of the House; I will have to check that out. The Cabinet has made a decision that we will participate in the German-led battle group. We have previously served in the German-led battle group, the UK-led battle group and the Nordic one so it is not the first time we have done it. The name is not a good name. This battle group will have ten...

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I think in French it is called force tactique or force tactical, and that might be a better term than battle group. Perhaps we will find an appropriate term as Gaeilge that better reflects what it is. It is intended to be a ten-person group, which could increase to 148 if needed, but before it could be deployed in any operation it falls under the triple lock mechanism, which would require a...

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----that does not arise.

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I am not aware of any specific legislative measures being proposed, but I know that the Health Service Executive's medicines management programme under Professor Barry has taken a real interest in this issue and in ensuring that these necessary medicines are prescribed appropriately and only used as necessary. I understand that the Chief Medical Officer has a role in it too.

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: On the legislation, the vehicle to set it up is the National Asset Management Agency (Amendment) Bill, which was in committee in January. I strongly agree with the establishment of a rainy day fund. What I never want to see happen again is for us to repeat the mistakes of the past. When an economy is growing and going relatively well, it makes sense to first balance the books, run a...

Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----whether it is running deficits when we do not need to do so, tax incentives for developers or 97% mortgages from the Government.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: If she has not done so already, Sarah should make a complaint to the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the professional body which regulates pharmacists. If there was any inappropriate or invasive questioning, it will be able to take that issue further. However, it is relatively standard practice that when somebody requests emergency contraception, a practitioner would try to give advice...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: We have a long way to go to meet our obligations under the climate change agreements that we have signed up to, and also to reduce our emissions. We have 2020 targets, which are going to be very difficult to meet, and 2030 targets which may be somewhat more realistic to meet. We should not forget the ways in which Ireland is different from other countries. We had a lost decade, ten...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: -----and we have to be honest about that. I would expect that the kind of investment we are going to see in the next number of decades will be based around buses, public transport and railways in our cities rather than in roads. Outside our cities, in more rural areas, there will be massive investment in our roadways. That is what makes the most sense. The biggest road project completed...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is absolutely correct; I am Minister for Defence. The Government has delegated responsibility for defence matters to the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, whom I fully trust to deal with this issue appropriately. I am a medical doctor and have seen the list of illnesses that these former members of the Air Corps and their families have suffered. It is a very long and extensive...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I did not have an opportunity to hear that interview but I will make a point of doing so once I have time. I certainly pay tribute to and have a lot of respect for people who are willing to share their personal stories of adversity when it comes to sexual violence and crisis pregnancies. In respect of whether any medicine is available over the counter, that is not a decision for the...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I object to that, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: I appreciate the Deputy's attachment to the HSE. As it is his creation, after all, he should know well what are the provisions of the Health Act 2004. The 2004 Act provides that the HSE service plan is not just written by the HSE; it is written by the HSE in consultation with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. That is what happens. When a draft is...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2018)

Leo Varadkar: The legislation specifically provides for the Minister to seek an extension or to seek changes.