Results 141-160 of 8,669 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Leo Varadkar

Financial Resolution No. 1: Excise (Tobacco Products) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: The evidence is that the amount of tobacco and cigarettes being sold over the past few years has increased. Perhaps I am wrong about that but I am pretty sure it is the case that there has been an increase. The excuse given is that a large number of people have come here from central and eastern Europe, that they smoke a lot and that is the reason for the increase. I am, however, a bit...

Financial Resolution No. 1: Excise (Tobacco Products) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I was referring to cigarettes where the tax has already been paid and the stamp is already on them and where the retailer tomorrow will charge 30 cent more even though the tax has already been paid.

Financial Resolution No. 3: Excise Duties (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: He took an incinerator.

Financial Resolution No. 3: Excise Duties (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I fully support the proposed changes, at least in vehicle registration tax and compliment the Minister on this innovative proposal. We could argue about whether the measure would have been introduced had the Green Party not been in Government but that is beside the point. It is a welcome step forward which Fine Gael supports because it introduces an emissions based tax, which is, in many...

Financial Resolution No. 3: Excise Duties (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister should provide the information today. This is a tax on car ownership. I am not aware of other assets which are taxed on the basis that people own them. We tax people for buying goods. This tax is an attack on business and consumers, as are the proposals on tolls we will discuss at an oral hearing on Wednesday. If the Minister proposes to change motor tax, why not take the...

Financial Resolution No. 3: Excise Duties (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: These are unfair taxes.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I wish to share time with Deputies Neville and Burke. In a radio interview four years ago, then Minister for Finance, former Deputy Charlie McCreevy, told us there were only three socialists in the Dáil, one being the Taoiseach and another, he later explained, former Deputy Joe Higgins. Mr. McCreevy left us speculating on the identity of the third comrade. After yesterday's tax and spend...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I would be pleased to do so if the Minister of State is genuinely interested in the issue.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: We could adopt the Dutch certification model using independent doctors.

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I would like to share time with Deputies Clune, Doyle and O'Donnell.

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I would like to make a few points on the Social Welfare Bill 2007. Like all other parties, Fine Gael will not oppose social welfare increases. It is reasonable to acknowledge that the increases sanctioned by the Government in recent years, particularly in the pensions sector, have certainly kept pace with inflation and have probably kept pace with wage growth. However, rather than tackling...

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I refer once again to the programme for Government commitment to amend the planning laws to ensure that school sites and schools are delivered in a timely fashion where large new housing developments have been built. I asked this question on a previous Order of Business and was informed that the matter would be dealt with in the designated land (housing development) Bill, the heads of which...

Prison Accommodation. (13 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: Question 8: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will charge prisoners for the cost of their time in prison where prisoners can afford to meet this cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32962/07]

Sentencing Policy. (13 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: Question 10: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has carried out studies on the merits and demerits of introducing a "three strikes and you are out" policy for serious offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32961/07]

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I wish to share my time with Deputies James Reilly and Jimmy Deenihan.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I acknowledge the bona fides of the Labour Party in presenting this Bill. It is a genuine effort to address genuine hardship for some individuals such as self-employed members of Equity, the NUJ and others. Similarly, I acknowledge the efforts the Labour Party is seeking to provide a means through which professional groups such as dentists, pharmacists and general practitioners can...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: When I refer to that, the Deputy will hear it. I am just dealing with section 2 of the Bill.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I am coming to that. I did not interrupt the Deputy. Perhaps he could have the decency to contain himself for at least one debate.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I am. This is a democratic country, left or right.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: Instead of competing for business, electricians in a town could form a union to negotiate terms, conditions and fees with local shopkeepers and enterprises. The Bar Council and the Law Society could similarly fix prices, terms and conditions for services provided to any social partnership group. This Bill is potentially a Trojan horse and if implemented would see a return of the medieval...