Results 17,881-17,900 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: On foot of this process, the director general of the HSE has given a derogation to both the Irish Wheelchair Association and Rehab to reinstate in full their funding levels.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I am delighted that the Minister, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, is making the same book recommendations to the Deputy as he is to me. He gave me the book On Tyrannyfor my 38th birthday. I have read it and it is a good read.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I know that for many members of the Deputy's party, the world stopped at some stage in the 1980s and that he has not read any political philosophy since, but it is-----

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Again, 1980s concepts, big time. I recommend that the Deputy read some books from the 1990s and this century which talk about other concepts. They are a good read. There are 20 lessons and the Deputy can read them just before bedtime. The Minister for Finance's other recommendation isThe Hillbilly Elegy, while the Minister for Education and Skills recommends The Political Brain, both of...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy and I both know, but maybe others in the House will not be as familiar with these issues and the Health Act, that the fundamental difference between people who work for a section 38 or section 39 organisation is that if one works for a section 38 organisation one is a public sector employee. One is effectively a public servant and therefore is subject to all the pluses and minuses...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: First, I am not on the fence; I have been very clear and straight with the Deputy. I have confidence in the Garda Commissioner, as does the Government. I do not think that is being on the fence. That is being as straight as I possibly can on this issue. In regard to the Act to which the Deputy referred, it requires a Commissioner to inform the Minister for Justice of certain things but...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: That is the case.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy McDonald may not like that being the case but that happens to be the case and that is a judgment call. In terms of the other facts she gave me, I can give her some facts too. The Committee of Public Accounts is currently carrying out an investigation.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: It had hearings that went on for hours yesterday at which the Deputy was present. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, has launched an investigation looking in particular into alleged fraud when it comes to accounts in Templemore and a tribunal, the Charleton tribunal, is under way.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Yes, but it is the Deputy's contention that we should bypass all those investigations-----

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----a tribunal-----

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: -----GSOC and the Committee of Public Accounts and rush a judgment.I do not believe in summary justice or kangaroo courts.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I appreciate that Deputy McDonald comes from a political tradition that is okay about that but mine is not.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Yes, I do have confidence in the Garda Commissioner, as does the Government does. The problems besetting the Garda are long-standing. Most, if not all, predate her becoming Garda Commissioner.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I believe she is somebody who is fighting many battles on many fronts in an effort to put things right.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: More importantly, I want the public to have confidence in the Garda. That is crucial in my approach to the matter. It is unfortunately true that trust and confidence have been strained because of the revelations that have beset the Garda in recent months and years. The Government has a duty to restore that confidence and trust. We have a policing model in Ireland that is based on...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: The best way to restore trust and confidence in the Garda is, first, to ensure there is a thorough investigation of all of the allegations made. That is under way. The Committee of Public Accounts is carrying out hearings and sat for the entire day yesterday in order that the hearings could proceed. I also understand the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has begun a fraud...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Martin had two hours of his party's time to discuss this if he had wanted to, and he chose not to.

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: I understand there are now discussions under way involving the whips about us using our time to allow the Opposition to discuss this matter further, including a question and answer session. I am sure we can come to agreement on that. It is always the case that I am in the Dáil twice a week. Deputy Martin can ask any question he likes of me and I will do my very best to answer it. ...

Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2017)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Martin did go there publically and doing so, in my view, was a mistake. It was wrong. Perhaps Deputy Martin did not mean to go there.