Results 16,901-16,920 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: In any budget we have to prioritise. There is only a certain amount of money. The other priority, particularly on this side of the House-----

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----was to make sure we did something on children and increasing the family income supplement, which we did, increasing the qualified child payment for the first time in eight years.

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The priority in terms of the parties that are party to the confidence and supply agreement was increases across the board and targeting poverty, and that is what was done. In that sense, the confidence and supply agreement was honoured.

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Government believes the behaviour of the banks in regard to removing people from tracker mortgages was scandalous. We also believe the banks have been dragging their feet in solving this problem at a real human cost. Some people have lost their homes. Others have lost investment properties. Aside from the financial cost, there is, of course, the impact on people's mental health and...

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: He will also seek a detailed explanation from the banks as to why the process has been so slow and their plans for resolving it quickly. While the Central Bank is fully independent as a regulator, the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, is also contacting the Central Bank to ensure it has sufficient powers and resources to ensure the banks resolve this problem. The Government will take further...

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy has that commitment. The Government will engage with the insurance industry in the coming days. The Minister of State, Deputy Michael D'Arcy, will lead that process. I encourage business owners and householders to read their insurance policies as each policy is a little different. It is also important that they make contact with their insurer as soon as possible. Insurance...

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I did not mislead the Dáil last week on Sinn Féin's health policies. Deputy Gerry Adams is the great misleader in Irish politics, and let nobody be in doubt about that. Last week he claimed it would cost €691 billion alone for the health service to stand still. He also claimed that his budget proposals which would have provided an extra €450 million were on top of...

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue again today. I had the chance to visit parts of Meath and Kildare yesterday to witness some of the repair work that was underway and the excellent work of ESB staff who had been working 12 hours at that stage to reconnect people. I met some of the people affected by loss of power, including some young families. The children were delighted...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: National Economic and Social Council (18 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I appoint members to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) in accordance with the provisions of the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006. The legislation provides for nominations from five sectors - business and employer, ICTU, farming and agricultural, community and voluntary, and environmental. I also appoint up to 6 public servants and 8 independent...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (17 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: There is a much greater political role in the appointment of a Secretary General than there is in suggesting that somebody get a position.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (17 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: To answer the other questions, since I thought this would come up-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (17 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----the list of staff I read out includes staff assigned to Independents, to the Chief Whip and drivers. For comparison, that adds up to 20, compared to 23 under the former Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny. I have fewer staff than did my predecessor and the total cost of their salaries is considerably lower than the cost of salaries under former taoisigh, former Deputies Brian Cowen and Bertie...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (17 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It is costly. That does not mean it will cost nothing-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (17 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----particularly when it comes to running campaigns but that is entirely met by existing resources in my Department. The Deputies will know that from the budget book because my Department is one of the few taking a reduction in its budget in 2018.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (17 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I look forward to the proponent explaining what a great idea it all is.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (17 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. There are 20 politically-appointed staff employed by my Department. Nine of these are advisers, including two special advisers to the Government Chief Whip. Those based in my Department in Government Buildings are Brian Murphy, chief of staff, paid at deputy secretary grade; John Carroll, head of policy and programme...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (17 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Yes, if we include the Chief Whip and Independent Ministers' staff. They do not actually work to me.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (17 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: They are.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (17 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I do not know.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (17 Oct 2017)

Leo Varadkar: That is a matter for the Secretary General.