Results 17,261-17,280 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Communications (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together. I spoke with Prime Minister Modi by telephone on 16 June. It was a short congratulatory call, similar to a number of calls I received from Heads of State and Government when I took office. During our brief conversation, we discussed a number of matters including our support for the resumption of talks on an EU-India free trade agreement...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I propose to takes Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. On 31 August, I held a formal meeting under the structured dialogue process with representatives of the Catholic Church, led by Archbishop Eamon Martin. I was accompanied at the meeting by the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Fitzgerald; the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: On a point of order, I do not make the rules of the House.
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: On the question relating to publishing documents, it is a matter for the respective Ministers. I would certainly welcome a debate in the House on the capital plan priorities and the planning framework before they are published. It would be appropriate for the House to, at the very least, have statements on such an important issue before decisions are made. As somebody who also represents a...
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I appreciate the Deputy's commitment and that of his party to getting this legislation through. We also want to get it through. I am very keen to see universities of technology - or technological universities - becoming a reality. Amendments are being worked on at present. They follow on from a number of issues, including an agreement with the Teachers Union of Ireland. I assure the...
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: We anticipate pre-legislative scrutiny within this session.
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I am very aware of the shortage of respite care in the country. It is something that comes up in my constituency all the time. I imagine it comes up in the Deputy's as well. I am also very aware of the lifeline that respite offers to many families. The fact they get a break from caring for relatives or loved ones is essential to their own mental health and well-being. It is something in...
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I answered this question earlier in response to Deputy Michéal Martin. Parliamentary questions should be tabled to the Minister for Health in order to obtain more specific answers.
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: It was a real pleasure to visit the Deputy's county on Friday and to spend some time in both Dundalk and Drogheda. None of us can doubt the benefits that could accrue from much faster line speeds on the rail line between Dublin and Belfast which of course would also benefit Dundalk, Drogheda and Newry. The question asked by the Deputy represents exactly the kind of work we now need to do to...
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The heads were approved in July. We anticipate pre-legislative scrutiny and publication of the Bill before the end of the year. As is almost always the case with legislation, it is not envisaged that it will be retrospective.
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I am not aware of the details of any press conference being held, but I am told that draft final bids in the procurement process are expected from bidders today. My apologies - the Minister is hosting a press conference today at Government Buildings to provide an update on the national broadband plan. This key stage is a significant milestone in the procurement process and it is the last...
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The ordering of the House is a matter for the Business Committee.
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I will have to ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to contact the Deputy directly. I have not seen the report and I do not know why it has not been published.
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I am aware of the report and I am deeply troubled by some of its findings. It would be entirely appropriate to have a discussion about it in the Dáil, either through a private notice question or as a Topical Issue but that is not my decision to make.
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The impression I have from the Minister is that everyone who is entitled to school transport is getting it.
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: However, there is a system by which children who are not entitled to the service may receive one of the extra seats on a bus on a concessionary basis. It will never be possible to provide a seat on a concessionary basis to the infinite number of children who are not entitled to one. The advice I have from the Minister, however, is that every child who is entitled to school transport is...
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I appreciate this is an important matter and a concern for the Deputy's constituents. However, the configuration of dental clinics between counties Cork and Kerry is not a matter that falls within my remit. I will ask the Minister for Health to contact the Deputy on the matter.
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The Minister for Justice and Equality and I spoke about this today. I am aware of the court judgment and it is the view of the Government that if somebody is waiting for a prolonged period of time for a decision as to whether he or she has the right to remain, he or she should be allowed to have the opportunity to work. These are people who wish to get up early in the morning to go to work...
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment is currently working on a response to that report and a separate study carried out by An Post regarding its viability. Certainly, the Government acknowledges the important service provided by post offices around the country. We wish to retain as much of the post office network as possible and to find new business for the post...
- Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)
Leo Varadkar: I acknowledge that far too many people are waiting far too long for treatment in Ireland. As I mentioned earlier, while there are hundreds of thousands of people on waiting lists, the majority, more than 50%, wait less than six months for treatment or an appointment and approximately one third are seen within three months. Although that is no good to people who are waiting for prolonged...