Results 16,181-16,200 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: These are the decision of the Government to invest in reading and literacy in particular, the excellent work of our primary teachers and the genius and intelligence of Irish children.

Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The matter is working its way through the House, as the Deputy is aware. I do not see the urgency in it. I do not know how Slovenia changes its constitution but in Ireland, a referendum is required. Even if it is not a standalone question, the cost of carrying out the referendum would be between €10 million and €12 million. I know it is a core principle of socialism to waste...

Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I reassure Deputy Healy-Rae that we have no plans for an outright ban on the burning of coal and turf but it certainly would be our objective, over time, to remove the burning of peat from power generation and perhaps the burning of coal as well in the medium to longer term. We debated climate change during questions to the Taoiseach last week and I laid out a number of actions being taken...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I have a slightly different view from the Deputy. I think it would be appropriate for all parties to see the text at the same time. Obviously, the European Commission, with our involvement, negotiates on one side, with the UK Government on the other. At the point at which texts are being shared with political parties, I do not see why the Green Party which operates North and South should...

Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My answer is much the same as it was yesterday. We will work through this issue. The Ministers, Deputies Paschal Donohoe and Simon Harris, are working through the process and we will come to a resolution which is fair and just. As the Deputy said, the issue involves other sectors besides hospitals and concerns section 39 bodies more generally, including in the disability sector and other...

Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Some bodies had been compliant with public sector pay rules, while others were not. Regardless of whether they were instructed to do so, some did reduce pay in line with the FEMPI legislation, while others did not. We need to understand this and map things out properly.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I do not accept that I am being hawkish. I do not think that sending peacekeepers all around the world is hawkish. I do not think that sending ships to the Mediterranean to rescue refugees and pull children out of the water is hawkish.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I do not believe that using our Defence Forces and our police to train defence forces and police in unstable countries and new democracies around the world is hawkish. It is part of our obligations as global citizens and I think it is the right thing to do in the interests of our country. We want to be involved in PESCO. Not on the same basis as everyone in Europe, but on an opt-in...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----and being involved in those kinds of programme. For other countries in Europe, PESCO is going to be something different. They are going to opt as a bloc, en masse, into everything because they want Europe to be able to defend itself. France is in a different place than us, for example. So is Germany. Even now 70 years after the Second World War, there are American troops in Germany...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy very much. He will appreciate that this is still an evolving situation and it would be unwise and undiplomatic of me to answer his question as fully as I might like to in this Chamber, given that many people are paying attention to what we say here, and not just in this country. Regarding last Monday, if the Deputy checks the record, he will see that I actually said...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I will absolutely consider the proposal the Deputy has made. It has to be done in the context of the budget and the HSE service plan, and we will have to see whether his costings are correct because proposals that do not stand up and costings that are not correct do not merit much consideration. We will certainly examine what is being proposed. In terms of what was announced in the...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I have a clear view on this matter. My view is that a Europe that is worth building is a Europe that is worth defending. For a very long time, all of Europe has relied on the United States to provide for its defence. There are real threats to European security and, over time, rather than relying on the United States to defend Europe and pay for European defence, Europe should provide and...

Leaders' Questions (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Micheál Martin is quite right. Carers, including family carers, do not want or need soothing words from me or the Government. They need action. They do not want rhetoric and false promises from Deputy Micheál Martin either, given his record in government of cutting the disability budget three years in a row.

Leaders' Questions (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: He also took €16.50 per week from carers and people with disabilities.

Leaders' Questions (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Frankly, they do not want rhetoric or politics from either of us.

Leaders' Questions (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Both of us should do what we need to do, which is to make sure additional services will be provided. The Government is absolutely committed to doing this. The next budget will prioritise services and investment in infrastructure over tax cuts, as the last one did and the one before it. It is very much the position of the Government that for every euro we give back to working people in tax...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: As I acknowledged in my earlier contribution, I understand, as does everyone on this side of the House, the value and importance of respite care. It is hope on the horizon; it gives family carers the hope they need to continue doing what they are doing, knowing that they will get an evening or a weekend off. It is also very important for other members of the family. Often if there is one...

Leaders' Questions (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I did not have an opportunity to watch the programme last night as I had other commitments but I will make a point of doing so over the weekend. From what I have heard, and the briefing note that I have been given, I am familiar with two of the five families that were featured, one being a constituent who we have been trying to assist through my constituency clinic for a number of years...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Brexit Negotiations (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Ongoing political engagement with our EU and international partners remains crucial as negotiations on Brexit proceed. Throughout the process - both before and since negotiations began formally earlier this year - the Government and officials have maintained a programme of deep and regular engagement with our partners. I meet and speak regularly with my EU counterparts, bilaterally, and at...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Strategy Statements (6 Dec 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department supports the work of the Civil Service Management Board to ensure overall implementation of the 25 actions in the Civil Service Renewal Plan. This work is seeking to strengthen capacity and performance across the civil service to deliver services in a professional, unified and responsive manner. The third progress report, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and...