Results 16,601-16,620 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister for Justice and Equality informs me that he has written to the Ceann Comhairle this morning in relation to Deputy Kelly's questions and the Department will co-operate in full with any request for information received from the tribunal. I cannot tell the Deputy here today whether it has provided all the information asked for by the tribunal but it certainly will do so. It is...

Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The first thing that should be recognised is that we as a Government are committed absolutely to establishing the facts around these matters and this very sorry affair. That is why we established a commission of investigation in the first place and a tribunal thereafter. I assure the Deputy that those of us here on the Government benches want to know, as much as anyone in the House, the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committee Meetings (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together. Cabinet Committee E last met on 12 September and is scheduled to meet again on 23 November.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Functions (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Department of the Taoiseach has an amalgamated International, EU and Northern Ireland Division headed by a Second Secretary General, who also acts as the Irish Sherpa for EU business, including Brexit issues. The work of the Division includes supporting the work of Cabinet Committee C, which deals with EU affairs, including Brexit, and supports me in my role as a member of the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committee Meetings (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The role of Cabinet Committee F is to keep the State's systems for the analysis of, preparation for, and response to, threats to national security under review and to provide for high-level coordination between relevant Departments and agencies on related matters. The Cabinet Committee will allow greater ministerial involvement in preparing for and managing major security threats. The...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Programme for Government (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme for Government Annual Report was published on 10 May setting out the progress made on more than 300 commitments across all of Government over the proceeding 12 months. This Report provides a comprehensive update on the progress of the commitments in its first year and highlights very specific plans which have been put in place to address in the short and longer term, key areas...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: During a recent visit to Seattle, I met with CEO of Apple, Tim Cook and his executive team. During our discussions, Mr. Cook highlighted the company’s very positive and long-standing experience of their Irish-based operations. He briefed me on the company’s data centre needs, and confirmed that Apple will consider the Athenry site in the context of future business requirements....

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I undertook a three day visit to Seattle, Silicon Valley and San Francisco from Wednesday 1st to Friday 3rd November. In Seattle, I spoke at an event attended by approximately 250 people from Seattle’s business community, as well as local Irish community representatives. Also in Seattle, I met with representatives of both Amazon and Microsoft, who between them employ over 5,000...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I had a three day visit to Seattle, Silicon Valley and San Francisco from Wednesday 1st to Friday 3rd November. The primary focus of the visit was on growing trade, investment and tourism opportunities between Ireland and the US, and on highlighting Ireland’s priorities in the context of Brexit and other international developments. In all of my engagements, I emphasised Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: A key part of the modernisation of Government communications is the greater use of social media. Recent initiatives in my department such as videos relating to Ireland's Rugby World Cup Bid, information about going back to school, the budget and treatment benefits cost approximately €21,895. Sponsored posts appeared on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Rail Network (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The draft National Planning Framework notes that the Dublin to Belfast Corridor is the largest economic agglomeration on the island of Ireland and the Government wishes to further support and promote its inherent economic potential. One of the ways in which this can be done is by enhancing the public transport connections within this corridor. We now need to carry out a proper assessment of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: As I reported to the House on October 3rd, I have raised the Dublin/Monaghan Bombings and other legacy cases with Prime Minister May and have stressed the importance of making progress on legacy issues and the overall arrangements for dealing with the past. The Government will continue to engage with the British Government in relation to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, and pursue all...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: During my recent visit to the United States, I met with senior Apple executives, including CEO Tim Cook. We discussed the company's very substantial investment and employment in Ireland, and their very positive outlook for their operations in Ireland. The company also briefed me on their business requirements for data centres, and on progress with its current data centre development in...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: A key part of the modernisation of Government communications is the greater use of social media. Merrionstreet.ie has a presence on a number of social media platforms. Recent initiatives in my department include videos relating to Ireland's Rugby World Cup Bid, information about going back to school, the budget and treatment benefits. Sponsored posts on Merrionstreet.ie in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Undocumented Irish in the USA (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My recent visit to the US West Coast was focused primarily on developing trade, investment and tourism opportunities between the US and Ireland. While in Seattle and San Francisco, I met informally with a number of Irish community organisations which provide excellent supports to Irish immigrants in the US, including undocumented Irish citizens. However, on this visit I did not hold formal...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Meetings (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Taoiseach has no official function or responsibility to the House in relation to pre-cabinet meetings. Under Standing Orders questions addressed to a member of Government must relate to public affairs connected with his Department or to matters of administration for which he or she is officially responsible. Furthermore it is submitted that the question impinges on matters internal to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Severe Weather Events Response (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Following the declaration of a status red weather warning by Met Éireann on Sunday 15th October 2017, an email was issued to staff in my Department from the Head of Corporate Affairs to advise them that they should remain at home and indoors on 16th October 2017. Those who could work remotely were advised to do so. A small number of staff attended work on 16th October 2017, including...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Data (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The data requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. YEAR FULLTIME EQUIVALENT Nov-15 193.9 Nov-16 186.6 Nov-17 194.1 Projected Nov-18 199

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Budgets (14 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department's budget for 2018 has decreased by 2% compared to 2017. In 2018, savings are expected to be achieved under the subheads Tribunals of Inquiry and Citizens' Assembly. Commissions of Investigation is also seeing a slight reduction in expenditure in 2018, following the completion of the Fennelly Commission's work in March 2017. However, a new Commission of Investigation headed by...

Ceisteanna - Questions: EU Meetings (8 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It was not in the interest of Ireland, and certainly not in the interest of citizens in Northern Ireland. The term "special status" is very much rejected by unionists in Northern Ireland, and it is going to be very hard to achieve anything for Northern Ireland in these talks if the democratically elected representatives in that country do not want it and do not ask for it. The use of the...