Results 17,521-17,540 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Brexit Staff (11 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 85. The International, EU and Northern Ireland Division of my Department, under a Second Secretary General who also acts as the Irish Sherpa in EU matters including Brexit, will remain in my Department. The Division handles a range of responsibilities across International, EU and British and Northern Ireland relations in support of me, including in my...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Office of the Attorney General (11 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: While I am the member of Government responsible for answering parliamentary questions on administrative matters connected with the Office of the Attorney General (and other Law Offices of the State), it should be noted that the Office of the Attorney General has its own Vote and has responsibility for the management of its own budget and governance issues.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ministerial Advisers Data (11 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Since my appointment as Taoiseach, I have recruited the following advisers: - a Chief of Staff; - a Spokesman and Communications Adviser; and - 4 Special Advisers. It should be noted that I have not, as yet, finalised the make-up of my team and that all of the above appointments are, of course, subject to Government approval.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Government Information Service (11 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Two members of staff in the Government Information Service are non-established civil servants; namely, the Government Press Secretary and the Deputy Government Press Secretary. All other staff working in the Government Information Service are established civil servants.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Data (11 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The number of full-time equivalent staff employed in my Department in 2014, 2015 and 2016 is as follows: Year Full-time equivalent 2014 (position on 31 December 2014) 185 2015 (position on 31 December 2015) 199 2016 (position on 31 December 2016) 188

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff Data (11 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: There are currently 30 contract staff employed by my Department. This number includes recently recruited civil servants on probationary contracts and unestablished civil servants. It should be noted that neither I, nor the Ministers of State assigned to my Department, have, as yet, finalised the make-up of our teams. All such support staff will be on contract (subject to Government...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Offices (11 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The building occupied by my Department is provided and managed by the Office of Public Works. Ongoing routine maintenance and necessary upgrading has taken place over the past five years consisting mainly of painting and furniture repairs. No major refurbishment projects have been undertaken in that time.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Northern Ireland (11 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: While I have not yet had the opportunity to visit Northern Ireland since becoming Taoiseach, I intend to visit on a suitable occasion in the near future. I consider that it is very important for Ministers to actively engage on North/South issues, including by visiting Northern Ireland for appropriate events and engagements. Ordinarily this would include meeting their counterparts in...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Inquiries (11 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The following inquiries/tribunals have been established under my Department: Tribunal of Inquiry into payments to politicians and related matters (Moriarty). The two Commissions of Investigation currently underway for which I am the specified Minister under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 are the IBRC Commission, Chaired by Mr Justice Brian Cregan, and the NAMA Commission, Chaired...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I want to say how much the Government regrets the fact that the parties in Northern Ireland failed to re-establish an Executive. People in Northern Ireland voted for devolved Government. They voted for home rule and because of the parties' inability to come to an agreement, that is not the case and they are being governed again by civil servants and British politicians. As well as that,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It is at the core of the difficulty we face.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: We did not speak about the border adjustment tax specifically. It was a short call and we sketched an agenda for a meeting that we will most likely have in March. I mentioned Ireland's commitment to free trade and the fact that we are a country that believes in and is committed to continuing free trade. I took the opportunity to mention to President Trump that Ireland is the seventh...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: In the United States there have been a number of special envoys appointed, including some to Ireland. Very often one meets people from Sweden who are a government-appointed ambassadors for a particular matter, such as climate change or lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual rights and so on.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: No. There is no legal status and it is an appointment I have made. He will report to me. He will of course be supported by the embassy staff in Washington DC and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There is no remuneration for it aside from reasonable expenses.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The ambassador speaks for the Government.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The ambassador speaks for the Government but Deputy Deasy will speak as my representative and on my behalf in engagements in Washington DC. It should be seen as an extra pair of hands or boots on the ground.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It is a supplementary role and he is someone who knows how Congress works. Let us see how it pans out.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It occurs to me how much things change over time. In 1995, when President Trump was in Sinn Féin, Deputy McDonald was in Fianna Fáil. Things change and change again.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: He was in the company of Sinn Féin.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The undocumented Irish in the United States remain a very high priority for the Government. The embassy in Washington DC is in ongoing contact with members of the community and politicians in that city. We understand immigration is of course a very politically sensitive matter and it will be difficult to separate the request of the Irish Government for regularisation of our citizens from...