Results 17,421-17,440 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Protected Disclosures Data (26 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has received no disclosures from its employees or former employees in 2016 or to date in 2017 under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.

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

Leo Varadkar: There is no one working as an actuary in my Department or in the National Economic and Social Development Office, which comes under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (13 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Provision for meritorious promotion to the rank of Corporal is set out in paragraph 304, ‘A’ Administration Instructions, Part 10 (Chapter 3 – Promotions, Section 1, Promotion to Corporal). It states that promotion to the rank of Corporal may be authorised by the Adjutant General when the individual concerned has given long and loyal service and is considered unsuitable...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Government Information Service (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The new unit does not exist yet. It probably will not be established until September but I am happy to give the House notice of it and any information I have on it now. It will be supplementary to and separate from the GIS because its role will be different and complementary. It will not be political. It will not be staffed by political appointees. People will be seconded from other...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I welcome very much and accept the genuine nature of the supportive comments other leaders have made on the arts. The budget increase for the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for last year was between €18 million and €20 million. This included a €5 million, or 8%, increase in the annual budget of the Arts Council, an increase in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Government Information Service (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Government Information Service is comprised of the Government press secretary; the deputy Government press secretary; the assistant Government press secretary, which position is currently vacant; two assistant principal officers, one of whom is assigned to MerrionStreet.ie; four press officers at higher executive officer level, two of which positions are currently vacant; three...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Government Information Service (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I did not realise there were quite so many vacancies until I read out the reply. I imagine some are Civil Service vacancies, which will be filled in the normal way should the Secretary General determine they remain necessary. Political appointments such as that of the assistant Government press secretary simply have not been made yet and probably will not be until the autumn given that we...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: On the peace process, the Canadian Government offered to assist in any way it could. There was no specific offer as to how it can help. I did recall the important role General John de Chastelain, a Canadian, played in monitoring decommissioning and the putting of arms beyond use. I inquired as to how he was doing and he is still alive and well. We did not get into any particular detail on...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Government established a number of Cabinet committees last week, of which one, Cabinet sub-committee B, will deal with all matters pertaining to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, which has responsibility for the arts. The intent in the new configuration of Cabinet committees is to give a sharper co-ordinated approach on policy matters to ensure a whole-of-Government...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I am in the hands of the Ceann Comhairle. I often hear Deputy Boyd Barrett speaking about the political establishment being discredited and in trouble. I do not know for sure what he means by that phrase. I presume that he is referring to my party and perhaps the parties of Deputies Micheál Martin and Howlin. Of course, all of our parties win many more votes that his party does in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: In fact, we win more votes in one or two constituencies than his entire party wins across all its candidates in the entire country. He may want to reassess what he means by being discredited and being in trouble. Perhaps in his view going from an 80% share of the vote to 60% means one is in trouble but going from 2% to 2.5% is a great victory. Everyone has a different perspective on these...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----and thus resulting in more revenues for the Exchequer. In terms of full ratification, I agree it absolutely requires a debate and a vote in the Dáil. However, no date is set for that as yet. Thus far only two members states, Latvia and Denmark, have ratified the agreement in full. We do not have any date for that at present. The real benefits in terms of trade, business,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. I was very pleased to welcome the Prime Minister, Mr. Justin Trudeau, and his family to Ireland last week. The Prime Minister was especially welcome as my first international visitor given the close and historic ties between our two countries. Our meeting was an opportunity to discuss our shared and common outlook on the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I do not know whether an application has been made under TEN-T for the road project in question. I recall that the Shannon-Foynes Port Company applied for, and may well have received, some TEN-T funding for the port. I am not sure about the road project. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Ross, to communicate directly with Deputy Neville. I agree with the Deputy that it is important for us...

Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The number of training places for GPs has been increased. The rural practice allowance, which incentivises GPs to work in rural areas, is now more generous than it has ever been before. I signed that order a year or so ago. The model is changing. Fewer GPs are willing to work single-handed or to take on the enormous debts that are required to establish a practice. One of the features of...

Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: They have started, sorry.

Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The scheme still exists but has been closed to new entrants for a number of years. For a new scheme to be put in place requires new primary legislation and financial provision. The legislation is being drafted by the Department of Health. Financial provision for it will form part of the discussions for the Estimates this year. Both elements are required to allow us to bring a new scheme...

Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Government stands over the work of Irish Aid overseas and that of Irish-based NGOs. We do not accept that any of them call for the destruction of the state of Israel, a state which we recognise.

Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I have been asking myself that question for most of the past ten years and still do not know the answer. Certainly, there seems to be a very weak correlation between additional staff and resources and better outcomes for patients. I could never get to the bottom of it but I intend to have another go at it over the next months. The National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, has been provided...

Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The heads of the commercial rates Bill were agreed by the Government a couple of months ago and the Bill is now being drafted as a priority with a view to publication later this year.