Results 16,681-16,700 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: In terms of the substance of the Deputy's question-----

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----I agree that there is a long-standing pay linkage between public servants and hospice staff. That pay linkage should be honoured. The question which needs to be answered in the next week or two is whether those section 39 bodies already received the money to do so in their block grant.

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: We have to protect the taxpayer here. We are not going to pay section 39 bodies twice for the same thing.

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I have asked the Ministers, Deputies Donohoe and Harris, to examine this and to come back to me with an answer in the next two weeks. We will certainly have this matter resolved by the time the HSE service plan for 2018 is produced.

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot give the Deputy a numerical definition of affordable housing. Obviously it depends on the individual. I certainly believe that somebody who earns the average income in the State should be able to get a mortgage and purchase a home. Without giving the Deputy a numerical definition I cannot answer the second part of the Deputy's question. In terms of what we have done, it is...

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----very big increases in their rents. And yes, it is about supply. It is not just about supply, but it is about supply. I am encouraged by the fact that planning permissions and construction are increasing. I was in my constituency on Monday with the Minister, Deputy Murphy, visiting the Hansfield area where more that 1,000 houses are under construction. Some 150 of these are social...

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I share the Deputy's very strong support for the hospice movement. In my constituency, I have helped to secure funding for the St. Francis hospice in Blanchardstown, ensuring that it was opened and staffed when I became Minister for Health and building on the work of my constituency predecessor, Brian Lenihan, who ensured that public land was provided on which to build it. It was paid for...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Communications (8 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 16 together. I had phone calls with the UK Prime Minister Theresa May on October 16 and on November 1. In our conversation on October 16, we discussed the latest developments in Northern Ireland at that time and urged a rapid resumption of talks, with a view to restoration of the Northern Ireland institutions urgently in the interests of the people of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (8 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My meeting with President Macron in Paris covered bilateral relations, the Brexit negotiations, and the future of Europe. We noted the extensive trading relationship between us and agreed that this provides a solid platform on which to build into the future, especially as Ireland looks to grow and diversify markets in the context of Brexit. We also discussed our co-operation in other areas,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Documents (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: We have secured the Kenny text, that is, the text in the minutes of the guidelines setting out clearly that should there ever be a united Ireland the Six Counties can come into the European Union seamlessly. We have also reaffirmed the right of everybody born in Northern Ireland to Irish and European citizenship. Crucially, we have ensured we are not isolated. The worst position the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Documents (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I absolutely agree with Deputy Martin that there is no need for secrecy around impact analyses. I have no difficulty with them being published. There may be good reasons they should be published but I do not believe those reasons involve secrecy. I accept the basic point that the Deputy makes, that it helps to inform the debate, not just here but also in the United Kingdom. There has to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: That may be the case but as the Deputy knows, Irish Rail receives over half of all the subvention that goes to public transport but carries only 20% of passengers. If we were to be fair and put passengers first, we would subsidise the buses much more as they carry much more passengers than rail services.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy has suggested rail subsidies should be raised to the European average, arguing that if we did so, it would meet the pay demands of the unions. I would have thought we should put the passenger and consumer first, and if we raised our subsidies to the European average, we should be looking for a European rail service. That is the priority I would attach to this and it demonstrates...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It is about making work pay and the contributory principle. It is also about ensuring people get value for their PRSI. It is only the first step in a new system of social insurance that will be developed over a number of years. I acknowledge that we have had very serious delays and waiting times for orthodontic work. I do not agree it does not get acknowledged. If one turns on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: This can be seen through two simple examples. When unemployment rates increased, it was the main item on the news but now they are decreasing, it is item No. 20 if it is even on the news at all. When the amount of mortgage arrears were increasing, it was the main item on the news but now they are decreasing and it is barely news at all.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The SCU does not go any way towards redressing-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It does.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: That is a very unfair remark. I would be happy to continue to answer all the questions asked by Deputies-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----but I am in the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's hands as to whether that complies with Standing Orders.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I would be very happy to forget about all the other questions and just answer these.