Results 16,621-16,640 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar
- Ceisteanna - Questions: EU Meetings (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: We can talk about special arrangements for Ireland and Northern Ireland, but once we mention "special status" the conversation is shut down. The difference is the language. What is the difference between a deputy First Minister having a small "d" and a capital "D"? That is the kind of thing that Sinn Féin demands in Northern Ireland-----
- Ceisteanna - Questions: EU Meetings (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: -----because that defines the co-equal. The language is very important.
- Ceisteanna - Questions: EU Meetings (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: In terms of Digital Europe many things were discussed. The main digital issues are completing the digital single market, moving public services online, which is a very important issue across Europe, and upskilling citizens so that people can avail of the digital revolution which is underway. Digital tax was discussed. There is a specific reference to the Council's conclusions on the...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: EU Meetings (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: As I stated earlier to Deputies Howlin and Burton, I cannot predict the future and I do not know what will happen in the next couple of weeks or months. It is my sense that we are moving in the right direction and I am more optimistic than I was in the weeks before the October summit. However, that may change. I have been asked to give clarity but I cannot as it is not clear. It should be...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: EU Meetings (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I will start with the first question, which related to Catalonia. We are all concerned about the political crisis in Estonia.
- Ceisteanna - Questions: EU Meetings (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: And in Spain. At the dinner on the first night, Prime Minister Rajoy was invited to update us on Catalonia but declined to do so. However, I took the opportunity to speak to the Spanish informally on the margins of the meeting. I emphasised our full support for the territorial integrity of Spain and respect for its constitution. I acknowledged, as Deputy Martin has, that it does not...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: EU Meetings (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The resolution of the current crisis needs to be within the constitutional framework and Spain's democratic institutions. It is for all Catalans and Spaniards to shape their own constitutional and political arrangements through their democratic institutions and laws. As we are all aware, measures have now been taken to limit regional autonomy. I hope that after the elections regional...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: EU Meetings (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: That is my prediction at this stage. This will, of course, all depend on what happens over the next number of weeks and what specific assurances and written guarantees we can get from the United Kingdom.
- Ceisteanna - Questions: EU Meetings (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The county or the city?
- Ceisteanna - Questions: EU Meetings (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 10, inclusive, together. I attended my second meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 19 and 20 October. The agenda included migration; Digital Europe; security and defence; and external relations. The future of Europe was also discussed over breakfast on Friday, followed by a meeting of the European Council in Article 50 format - without the...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: An tAire Stáit, an Teachta Kyne.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The Bill is being drafted but, unfortunately, we do not have a publication date yet.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: An tAire Stáit, an Teachta Griffin.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I share the Deputy's frustration with how long it is taking to sort out this contract. It looks like it will be next year before the contract is signed. Once it is signed, however, it will allow us to become the first country in the world to connect every home and business to fibre, which will be a real achievement. I am frustrated that the contract will not be signed until next year. I...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I do not know the answers to the Deputy's questions, to be very frank. An additional €1.3 billion has been allocated to transport for the next four years on top of what was already allocated. A ten-year capital plan will be published, it is hoped by the end of the year, and I would anticipate that it will give us a bit more clarity. As a representative for west Dublin, I acknowledge...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I will ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, to reply to the Deputy.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: We are working on that. There is a solemn Government commitment to ratify the convention. There is an area of legislation that has not been fully dealt with, that is, around the protection of liberty. It is quite complex legislation that we may need to enact in this House before we can sign the convention. It might be possible to sign it without having done that. I am aware other...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I do not think so. I have not seen the heads and I would have seen them if they had been done. The answer to the Deputy's question is no. I will get a comprehensive answer for the Deputy and reply by correspondence.
- Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I do not believe the Deputy is correct to say that we are seeing a haemorrhaging of staff. As I mentioned earlier, we have many thousands more teachers employed by the State every year and perhaps part of the reason it is difficult to find teachers to cover substitution is that they are being hired into permanent positions. The solution to substitution might be asking more retired teachers...
- Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)
Leo Varadkar: GPs are not recruited. They are self-employed contractors. It is slightly different to doctors who are employed in hospitals and in the public health service. The rural practice allowance has not been discontinued. It has actually been increased, and it is easier to qualify-----