Results 17,401-17,420 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Operations (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Since assuming the office of Taoiseach, I have appointed four Ministers of State to portfolios in my Department: Joe McHugh, TD, is Government Chief Whip; Helen McEntee, TD, has responsibility for European Affairs; Paul Kehoe, TD, has responsibility for Defence; and Pat Breen, TD, has responsibility for Data Protection. In addition, I have made changes to the Cabinet Committee structure which...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Communications (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I spoke with Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi by telephone on Monday 28 August. The call was instigated at my request to discuss the case of Irish Citizen, Ibrahim Halawa. I emphasised the importance the Irish Government places on the case and received assurances from the President that he would intervene, if necessary, following the announcement of a verdict to ensure that Ibrahim...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Trade Strategy (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: While in Canada recently I announced a plan to double Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. It is clear that there is a new self-confidence in Ireland, as an island at the centre of the world and that national self-confidence requires that we always be ambitious, visible and active in promoting the interests of our nation on the international stage. I expect that this...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Tribunals of Inquiry Expenditure (20 Sep 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Expenditure in 2016 was €1,085,971 and up to end August in 2017 was €5,939,462. The breakdown is as follows: Category 2016 2017 to end August 2017 Legal Team €379,285 €272,495 Administration €201,205 €162,607 Reimbursements to State Claims Agency iro third party claims €181,057 €5,493,524 Other costs €324,424 €10,836

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I am informed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that the following tables outline the details requested by the Deputy. YEAR GROSS ESTIMATE €000 APPROPRIATIONS-IN-AID €000 NET ESTIMATE €000 2017 41,588 912 40,676 YEAR GROSS EXPENDITURE €000 APPROPRIATIONS-IN-AID €000 NET EXPENDITURE €000 2007 34,468 135 34,333 2008...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together. Like public representatives generally, I meet with church leaders from all faiths informally from time to time in the course of attending official or public events. Since I took office as Taoiseach, neither myself nor my officials have had any formal meetings with any church leaders, including Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. I intend to have...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Disability Support Services Provision (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department supports the implementation of national policies and strategies designed to advance the lives of people with disabilities including the recently published National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. As Taoiseach and Head of Government, I encourage and endorse every effort to improve the services and supports for people with disabilities. I want everyone to reach their...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Funding (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The funding provided to County Louth and County Meath by my Department since March 2016 is set out in the following table. Organisation County Programme Amount Drogheda & District Chamber of Commerce Louth Local Diaspora Engagement Fund €5,000 Gleeson Clan Gathering 2016 Organising Committee Meath Local Diaspora Engagement Fund €3,000 Louth County Council Louth...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Contracts Data (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office adhere to the procedures set out by the Office of Government Procurement and EU Procurement rules in relation to the procurement of all goods and services. The standard terms and conditions of tenders conducted by the Office of Government Procurement state that the contractor shall provide the services in accordance...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Funding (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Department of the Taoiseach is not currently in receipt of an application for funding from this organisation. In 2016 the Kerry Emigrant Social Housing Association was awarded a grant of €5,000 under the Local Diaspora Engagement Fund which was administered by the Department of the Taoiseach. This was one of a total of 106 local and community projects around the country that were...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has a taxi account for official business purposes with a company selected by the Office of Government Procurement following a public tender. Taxis are used for official purposes where there is no other practical or suitable alternative mode of transport available. Expenditure on taxis from January 2015 to end-June 2017 is set out in Table A. In addition, the sum of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Strategic Communications Unit (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 33 to 37, inclusive, and 42 to 44, inclusive, together. As I previously stated in the House last week I intend to establish a small unit in my Department to focus on strategic communications across Government. This unit will complement, not replace, the existing arrangements in Departments and agencies for dealing with press, media and communications. The...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Strategic Communications Unit (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 32, 38, 40 and 49 together. The Strategic Communications Unit has not been established as yet. The precise mandate and other arrangements for the operation of this new unit, including staffing structure and budget, will be worked out over the coming weeks. It is my intention to staff the unit with civil and public servants. The new unit will be...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Government Information Service (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 39 together. The role of the Government Press Secretary (as Head of the Government Information Service (GIS)) is to keep the media updated on the activities of Government, including briefing the media subsequent to the weekly Cabinet meetings.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Data (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: All employees of my Department are civil servants, either established or non-established.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Communications (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 to 47, inclusive, together. I spoke by phone with Prime Minister May most recently on June 27 when we discussed the ongoing talks process in Northern Ireland and our strong commitment to supporting the peace process as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement. We agreed to continue to work together to support the parties in reaching agreement to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Budgets (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 53 and 55 together. Expenditure by my Department up to end-June 2017 amounted to €15.63m which represents 77% of profiled expenditure for the year to date. My Department has no capital funding. Significant elements of the Department's expenditure is outside of its direct control, for example, the Moriarty Tribunal of Inquiry and three Commissions...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Irish Communities Abroad (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I spoke with President Trump by phone on Tuesday 27th June. It was a short congratulatory call, during which I raised a number of issues including the situation of the up to 50,000 undocumented Irish in the US. I look forward to having an opportunity to discuss this issue with President Trump in more detail in due course.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Funding (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only body under the remit of my Department. It is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), which advises me on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social and environmental development. NESDO has been allocated a grant of just over €2 million from my Department's Vote...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Data (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: No staff working in my Department are suspended from work on full pay.