Results 1,781-1,800 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Citizens' Assembly (30 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme for Government commits to establishing four Citizens’ Assemblies, on the topics of Biodiversity Loss; the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin; Matters relating to Drugs Use; and the Future of Education. The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use is currently underway and is scheduled to complete its work by the end of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (30 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The Department does not make a financial contribution to, the sourcing or provision of childcare or crèche facilities for the children of staff members of any grade or position.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (30 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The Department did not incur any expenditure for external legal teams, HR specialists, accountancy firms or consultants in 2022. Training and related services delivered to staff as part of normal learning and development may in some instances be provided by HR professionals but does not relate to HR consultancy work.

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their questions. Deputy McDonald raised the very sad case of Shane O'Farrell who was killed in a road traffic collision, many years ago now. I again send my condolences to his mother and family. A scoping report has been carried out. It is very detailed and very comprehensive. The Minister, Deputy Harris, has met with the family about it. We would very much like...

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: Will the Deputy remind me?

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I am sorry. I thought I had covered the deployment of gardaí in my response to Deputy Dillon. The deployment of gardaí is a delegated function to the Garda Commissioner. It is not a decision that is made with the Minister for Justice or the Taoiseach. I am happy to transmit any thoughts the Deputy has on that, if she has not done so already.

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 29, inclusive, together. A Policing Service for our Future is the Government’s plan to implement the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. Implementation of the plan is being overseen by a dedicated programme office in the Department of the Taoiseach and has now entered the final consolidation phase, with many...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for raising those various issues. On waiting lists, the number of people awaiting hospital treatment and who have been waiting to see a specialist for more than three months or who have been waiting for an operation they need for more than three months is 50,000 lower than was the case this time last year. We are seeing progress in respect of some waiting lists, but...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their questions. The work and report of the independent review group on dignity and equality in the Defence Forces have raised very profound issues relating to culture and unacceptable behaviour. The value of the report has been demonstrated by the widespread support for its recommendations and the universal reaction of shock and dismay at its contents and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: -----but a conspiracy theory was spun by people on the Left that if people voted for the Lisbon Treaty that there would be an EU Army and that we might be conscripted into it and long before-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: -----the social media world there were conspiracy theories that people took seriously. As part of the response to that absurd and provably untrue conspiracy theory perpetrated by some people at that time, neither of those things happened-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I do not believe it is appropriate to allow Russia, China, Britain, France or America to decide whether or not we send troops on missions abroad. That should be a decision for the Government and for the Dáil.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 17, inclusive, together. The priorities set out in the Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2023, reflect the role of the Department to assist me as Taoiseach and the Government to ensure a sustainable economy and a successful society, to pursue Ireland’s interests abroad, to implement the Government’s programme, and to build a better...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, informs me that that is available in CHO 9 but perhaps not in all parts of the country. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, to come back to the Deputy on the matter directly.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I will ask the Minister of State to come back to the Deputy. I do not want to give an answer that is not correct.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The Government approved a high-level action plan for the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in July 2022. The report sets out the initial implementation and oversight structures, comprising a high-level steering board, an independently chaired implementation oversight group and an implementation management office....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I appreciate that people need to be sensitive in the words they use. That applies to the Deputy and her party as well and I hope she will reflect on that given the many things she has said in the past particularly in relation to victims of violence. I am happy to clarify that was not a reference to disability in any way. I am very happy to clarify that for anyone who may have thought so....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: It will go ahead.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: However, as is always the case, there is roughly €500 million for the national roads budget for maintenance and then also for new projects. It is never the case that there is funding every year to progress every project. It never was the case and it never will be the case. Funding happens on an annual basis and what we have agreed is that if funding becomes available through the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 May 2023)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am no expert on family law but I think it is fair to say that he has highlighted this issue and the report has been carried out by the Department of Justice. It was passed by Cabinet for publication just yesterday and briefings are available to Deputies and Senators who want to know the detail of that and the recommendations.