Results 17,301-17,320 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy should tell me what her party has ever actually done for young families. I see around me Deputies from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Labour Party, Independents, and the Green Party who can all say that they did something practical and useful for young people. When Deputy McDonald says she has made a choice and that she stands with young families, that is totally bogus. Sinn...

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The only answer I can give to the Deputy with regard to any budgetary decision between now and budget day is that announcements will be made on budget day.

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: That will be the answer I will give her to any question she may wish to ask between now and budget day. We will use the budget to put money back in the pockets of families.

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: There are many ways that can be done. It can be done through tax reductions, welfare increases, pay restoration or a combination of these things. It can also be done through services. The Deputy can be guaranteed that, just as was the case last year and the year before, we will use this budget as an opportunity to put money back in the pockets of the families of this country. However, we...

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: This is an issue that has been a problem for us certainly as long as I can remember. The question I want to answer and the one I think is the most important to be answered is what are we doing about it. The new theatre in Crumlin is now open. The additional nurses are now in post in Crumlin and Temple Street and an additional orthopaedic surgeon will commence work in Crumlin in early...

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: First, I would like to restate the budget priorities that I have stated now on a number of occasions but I will do it again in the House so that everyone can hear it. My first priority in this budget is to balance the books, and to do so for the first time in ten years. What that means, roughly speaking, is for the first time in ten years the amount that we take in in terms of revenue will...

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue, which is very close to my heart. I took an interest in it, both as a doctor and as Minister for Health. We can all accept that far too many people in Ireland are waiting far too long for treatment. People are well aware that about 600,000 people are on one form of waiting list or another. More than half of those people will be seen...

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It is not an issue of shame. All of us in Ireland and in this society should be ashamed that children have to wait such a prolonged period for operations. Sadly, this is a problem that exists for as long as I can remember. When I was a medical student, there were long waits for scoliosis surgery. I believe Deputy Micheál Martin was the Minister for Health and Children at that...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (26 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: On 31 August last, 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 and by the Ministers for Education and Skills, Health, Transport, Tourism and Sport and Employment Affairs and Social Protection....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Yes.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I am outlining to the Deputy the division of responsibilities, which has changed. Deputy Coveney is the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I announced that on the day he was appointed. I will obviously continue to answer questions here through Leaders' Questions and questions for the Taoiseach, as I have before.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The role is Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit. He will be responsible to the Dáil for matters related to Brexit.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I am explaining the division of responsibilities. If the Deputy wishes to ask further questions, he might allow me to answer his first question.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister will be vice chairman of the Cabinet committee dealing with European affairs and Brexit and he will lead on Brexit in the media. Memos relating to Brexit will come from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and he will lead and co-ordinate the all-island civic dialogue and sectoral meetings. I will, of course, retain responsibility for the European Council as the person...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I answer questions through Leaders' Questions and questions to the Taoiseach. I will be happy to continue to answer questions in this Chamber on Brexit. Written questions will be referred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It is not false information. The DUP is a political party in Northern Ireland and Sinn Féin is a political party in Northern Ireland. There is no Assembly or Executive to speak on behalf of Northern Ireland. The Assembly could, of course, adopt a resolution and the Executive could, of course, take a particular position. I encourage the parties to do exactly that. It is not the case...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committee Meetings (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: That is the answer.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together. The Government has approved the establishment of a total of six Cabinet committees, one of which will deal with EU affairs and Brexit. In particular, this committee will assist the Government in its ongoing consideration of Brexit issues, including input to the negotiation process, both on the issues that are of unique or particular concern...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I join others in expressing my condolences to the family of Mr. Martin Kehoe Jnr.