Results 16,741-16,760 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: No, he is definitely in Baile Átha Cliath.

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I can certainly assure the Deputy that the Minister, Deputy Ross, is in the country because he was at the Cabinet meeting this morning and briefed it on the rail dispute, the options open to us and the next steps that may follow. I hear a real contradiction in the position being put across from Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin. I am not sure if the Deputy hears the contradiction but...

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It cannot be both. That is not honest politics. One cannot argue for pay rises in Irish Rail substantially above the pay rises that people are getting in the public service next year-----

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----while at the same time arguing there should be investment in the railways for all those good reasons. That is just not an honest position. The company has more money and, as I mentioned, the subvention has gone up and passenger numbers are increasing. The targets I set as Minister with responsibility for transport to increase the use of public transport are being met. Fares have...

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: As I said, now that we have some money we have invested in the railways. There has been a 35% increase in subvention in three years. Very few semi-State or public bodies have had a 35% increase in subvention in the past three years. Between 2008 and 2016, an extra €5 billion was invested in CIÉ companies, the bulk of which, some €3.7 billion, went to Iarnród...

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. As far as I know, the stakeholders' forum has been convened, or at least efforts are being made to set a date for its first meeting, but I will double check with the Minister, Deputy Shane Ross. I do not have a date for publication of the rail review, but the Deputy will be aware of many public-----

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I do not have a date for publication of the rail review, but the Deputy will be aware that there have been many other publications of rail reviews in the not too distant past. Today is the second day of the train strike. I understand the unions have now announced plans for three more strike days in the next few weeks. I agree with the Deputy that the strike is very much to be regretted....

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I have not had the opportunity to meet or speak with President Putin since coming into office.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Priorities (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department's primary role is to support me as Taoiseach, and the Government, in delivering on our programme of work. During the next three months, my Department will therefore support delivery of significant Government policy objectives including: - development of a Ten-Year Capital Investment Plan alongside the National Planning Framework; - ensuring that Ireland's key Brexit priorities...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Strategic Communications Unit (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 95, 97, 99, 121 to 124, inclusive, and 127 together. The Director of the Strategic Communications Unit informed the Secretary General of my Department that he was invited by the PRII to address its members. As part of the Government's eGovernment strategy 2017- 2020 the Office of the Chief Information Officer has been working on the development of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: European Council Meetings (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 to 93, inclusive, 128 and 129 together. I attended the European Council in Brussels on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 October. The agenda included Migration; Digital Europe; Security and Defence; and External Relations. The Future of Europe was discussed over breakfast on Friday. There was then a European Council Article 50 - without the UK - which...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 112 to 115, inclusive, and 118 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Civil Service Management Board (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Civil Service Management Board has established a Subgroup to give a whole-of-government approach to strategic communications. This Subgroup held its first meeting on Wednesday 25th October and is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department. Members include the Secretaries General of the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform; Health; Housing, Planning and Local Government;...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Contracts Data (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department currently has four active tenders.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Communications (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 102 and 104 to 106, inclusive, together. The cost of the insight and market research contract is estimated at €130,000 ex vat. As stated in the RFT, Phase 1 of the research should be available in early 2018, the research will be published when available. There is no external company undertaking an audit of my department's website. The...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Equipment (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is located in Government Buildings, which is provided by the Office of Public Works. There are already two defibrillators in the building. The National Economic & Social Development Office comes under the aegis of my Department, but does not occupy a public building.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Data (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: There are five Press Officers in the Government Press Office. A dual reporting relationship is in place whereby Press Officers report to both the Head of Corporate Affairs and the Assistant Government Press Secretary. There is also a vacancy at Clerical Officer level in the Government Press Office which is in the process of being filled via the Public Appointments Service.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Training (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The performance of my Department is dependant on the knowledge, skills. competencies and commitment of its staff. Achieving improved performance through appropriate and relevant continuing professional development programmes continues to be an integral element of ensuring my Department achieves its strategic objectives. All staff of my Department, both established and unestablished Civil...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Public Relations Contracts Data (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department engaged Q4 Public Relations to provide public relations and communications services for the Data Summit, which took place in Dublin in June 2017. The company was tasked with promoting the Data Summit to both a national and international audience, including industry, academia, not-for-profit sector as well as the wider public. The company was selected following a competitive...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Funding (7 Nov 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is grant funded from my Department's Vote. NESDO's payments and accounting practices, including the use of credit cards for official purposes, are audited annually by the Comptroller & Auditor General.