Tag Archives: Leo Varadkar

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar; Fianna Fáil leader Mícheál Martin

This afternoon.

During Leaders’ Questions.

Fianna Fáil leader Mícheál Martin raised RTÉ’s report from last night concerning an apparent “non-papers” proposal for the border – claims which were dismissed by the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on BBC this morning.

Mr Martin asked Mr Varadkar if he discussed these “non-papers” with Mr Johnson during their recent meetings and asked if he could outline their “provenance”.

He also asked Mr Varadkar if he was aware of them before last night’s report.

Mr Varadkar said he hasn’t seen the “non-papers” but he was aware of their existence.

He said:

“Their existence was public knowledge and commented on the papers – at least in the last week or two. Essentially the UK provided for non-papers to the EU task force on the basis that they be kept confidential and not be shared with member states and they were not shared with member states.”

Mr Varadkar continued to say he welcomed Mr Johnson’s comments this morning “when he disowned and distanced himself from those non-papers”.

He said had Mr Johnson not done so, it would have been “hard evidence of bad faith” on the part of the British government.

He said, in December 2017, the UK government promised Ireland and the EU that there would be no hard border and no physical infrastructure or associated controls or checks, as a consequence of the UK leaving the EU.

He added:

“We expect the British government to honour that commitment made in good faith in the withdrawal agreement.”

He also said:

“No British government should seek to impose customs posts between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland against the will of both the people in Northern Ireland and the people here in the Republic of Ireland.”

And he added:

“When the Government, when we talk about checks, we talk checks being necessary in the context of no deal. And if we face no deal on the 31st of October, if the UK decides, and it will be their decision, to leave the European Union without a deal and operate on WTO rules, then there will need to be checks – at the ports, at the airports, perhaps at business level and perhaps near the border too.

“That is just the reality of the situation. But  that is in the context of no deal. We’ve never been in the position of signing up to checks as part of a deal.”

Mr Martin responded to Mr Varadkar:

“I think, Taoiseach, you need to be careful in terms of welcoming everything that Boris Johnson said this morning because of course Boris Johnson made it clear that, he says ‘we’re going to make a very good offer, bla, bla’ and so on.

“….But if you’re trying to keep, there is a difficulty, he said, if you try to keep Northern Ireland in the Customs Union because one of the basic things of being in a country is you have a single customs perimeter and a single customs union so, in essence why he’s sort of dismissing the non-papers, the essential message of what he’s saying today is: he wants to keep Northern Ireland out of the Customs Union.

“And we’re all in agreement in this House, that Brexit makes no sense, it makes no economic sense, it makes no sense for those doing business or farming in Northern Ireland. It damages the economy all round.

“But I think it seems to me, very clear, that he’s sticking to the idea that he does not want, as part of the exit deal, any provision which would ensure and guarantee that Northern Ireland would remain within the European Union customs union.

“Would you accept that that seems to be his position right now? Or do you have other evidence to suggest that he may be willing to compromise on that?”

Mr Varadkar replied that he believes Mr Martin’s “assessment is correct”.

He added:

“It is his view that the United Kingdom should leave the European Union, whole and entire, to use his language, and that means the UK, including Northern Ireland, leaving the Customs Union.

“But as I explained to him when we met in New York, there is a reason we came up with the deal that we did, after two years of negotiations with Prime Minster May and her government. And what the backstop provides for is a single customs territory.

“It doesn’t provide for Britain or Northern Ireland to stay in the Customs Union. It provides for what’s described as a single customs territory  and that satisfied our demand and our desire that there not be customs checks, north and south.

“But also it satisfied the concerns and desires of many unionists that there not be customs checks east, west. A single customs territory designed specifically to meet that need. And that’s why we ended up with the backstop. And that’s why the backstop is actually the best solution.

“Because it avoids customs posts, north, south. It also avoids customs posts east, west, by having the entire UK within a single customs territory.”

Earlier: Border, Border

UPDATE:

Eoin (from comments) writes:

Sorry, who does Leo think he’s kidding. Boris Johnson has publicly, on several occasions, disowned the 7 December 2017 declaration. He fuppin’ well put it in writing to Donald Tusk in a letter on 19 August 2019:

“Accordingly, as I said in parliament on July 25, we cannot continue to endorse the specific commitment, in paragraph 49 of the December 2017 joint report, to “full alignment” with wide areas of the single market and the customs union. That cannot be the basis for the future relationship and it is not a basis for the sound governance of Northern Ireland.”

Thanks Eoin

Last night.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar posted on Instagram:

Live from New York! Had a very good meeting with NBC in NYC about production opportunities in Ireland. Also had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy Fallon, an absolute gentleman who’s very proud of his Irish heritage.

FIGHT!

Taoiseach’s LA visit to focus on TV, film industry investment (RTE)

Donald Tusk tweetz:

Standing together with [Irish] PM Leo Varadkar in New York. We continue looking for how to avoid a disorderly Brexit.

Meanwhile…

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks to journalists ahead of the UN Summit on Climate Change in New York

Meanwhile…

Varadkar to tell UN that carbon tax revenue will be ring-fenced for climate action (RTE)

Previously: Religious Fervour

Pic: Cormac Quinn

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the Dáil during Leaders’ Questions this afternoon

This afternoon.

In the Dáil…

In response to questions about the Public Services Card from Sinn Féin, the Taoiseach spoke glowingly about the PSC – telling the Dáil he himself has a PSC.

It follows the eventual publication of a damning Data Protection Commission report about the card by Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty last night and her department’s refusal to comply with the DPC’s orders in relation to the card.

Mr Varadkar told the Dáil that “like the majority of people in this House”, he’s a “big supporter” of the PSC and he thinks it’s worked “extremely well”.

He added:

“Over three million people in Ireland now have a Public Services Card, including me, and when people are asked what they think about the Public Services Card that they have, over 80 per cent of people are satisfied with it and prefer it to what they would have had before which would have been a number of different books and passes – pension books, children’s allowance books, free travel passes, social welfare services cards – it’s replaced all of those and given people one simple card which enables them to access public services.”

“And that’s exactly what the Public Services Card is. It does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s what it was intended to be in 1998 and in 2005 when it was introduced in legislation. It’s there to assist people to access public services  and to make public services more efficient to deliver.

“It is not primarily about fraud but it does have benefits in terms of deterrence, reducing fraud aswell but it’s primary purpose is to make it easier for people to access the public services and benefits that they’re entitled too and also makes it possible to be more efficient for Government departments and agencies and to provide those public services.”

“…in terms of legal advice, it’s not our practice to publish legal advice, either from the AG [Attorney General] or outside counsel, we won’t be doing that. But obviously, if this case goes to the court, goes to the circuit court or the High Court thereafter then of course that legal advice will be made public at that point and that is normal procedure when it comes to litigation.”

He later added:

“…In relation to the National Childcare Scheme, as you know, that’s coming into effect later this year to provide increased subsidies for childcare for tens of thousands of families across the State and for the first time about 10,000 middle income families will qualify for childcare subsidies for the first time. The vast majority of these families, about 80 per cent, have the Public Services Card already and will be able to apply for those subsidies and increased subsidies online.

“And I think the vast majority of them will do that because they will see the convenience of just being able to take out your Public Services Card, apply for those childcare subsidies online and get those subsidies without going through the rigmarole of filling in forms, getting in photographs, producing banks statements and all of that. However, for those who want to, that option will be available.

“So, there will be an option for those who don’t want to get a Public Services Card. But mark my words – people will vote with their feet and their keyboards and the vast majority of those parents will use the Public Services Card to apply for that subsidy because it makes sense.

“Moving online, digitisation is the future, providing public services to people in this country but the alternative will be there.”

Mr Varadkar went on to say that the department has yet to receive an enforcement order from the DPC and that the DPC has declined an invitation to meet with Ms Doherty’s department.

He also said “this is a democracy” and “the right of appeal is part of a democracy”.

Watch live here

Earlier: The Regina Monologues

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking to Virgin Media One’s Gavan Reilly earlier today.

Gavan Reilly

From top: Direct Provision protest in  Dublin ciuty, 2017: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with RTÉ’s Dr Gavin Jennings in east Cork this morning

This morning.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar gave a 16-minute interview to RTE’s Morning Ireland from Fine Gael’s ‘think-in’ at Garryvoe Hotel in east Cork.

During the interview, Mr Varadkar spoke about Brexit, protecting the Single Market, the Good Friday Agreement, potential border checks between the Republic of Ireland and the North.

Plus why he thinks Fine Gael will do well in the next general election – despite more than 10,000 people homeless, nearly one million people on hospital waiting lists and potential plans to reintroduce a border.

At the end of their discussion, journalist Dr Gavin Jennings raised comments made by Independent TD Noel Grealish at a meeting in Oughterard, Co Galway on Wednesday evening.

A video of Mr Grealish’s comments can be watched below:

Dr Jennings asked Mr Varadkar if he’s “comfortable” accepting support in the Dáil from the Independent TD.

Mr Varadkar said:

“I didn’t hear his comments and I understand there’s no audio recording of his comments but, if that’s what he said, I think he should withdraw those remarks and, at the very least, make a statement on it and clarify them.

“Bear in mind, what we’re talking about here are refugees. They are people who are, in many cases, fleeing war and fleeing persecution and it’s the right thing I think that we, as a country, should take people in.

“We would want someone to take us in if we were in a similar situation.”

Dr Jennings put to Mr Varadkar that the Direct Provision system is now 20 years old [a system which was set up as a temporary measure in 1999 without legislation].

He then asked Mr Varadkar if it’s time to end Direct Provision.

The Taoiseach said:

“I often hear people say that but, end it and replace it with what? You know, we’re not in a position to give a house or an apartment to every asylum seeker. We’re just not in a position to do that and it’s also important to bear in mind what Direct Provision is.

“You know, Direct Provision is something that we offer asylum seekers, it’s not compulsory. You can leave at any time. We now allow asylum seekers to work so actually many do work and leave and provide for their own accommodation. Many also live with fiends and families.

“So Direct Provision is something that we offer people. It’s accommodation, it’s food and board, it’s spending money as well. It’s not that it’s compulsory.”

Listen back in full here

Varadkar calls on Grealish to withdraw remarks on asylum seekers (RTE)

Meanwhile…

Poster for an installation at the Little Museum of Dublin from September 29 to October 5

You Can Leave At Any Time (Dublin Theatre Festival)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson

RTÉ reports:

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has no meeting scheduled with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to discuss Brexit, Mr Johnson’s spokesman said.

A report in yesterday’s Sunday Telegraph said an offer to meet the Taoiseach to talk about the backstop had been accepted and dates were being discussed.

The spokesman also said Mr Johnson had been clear he still wanted to get a Brexit deal but hoped the European Union understood the British government’s determination to leave the bloc on 31 October, “no ifs or buts”.

Johnson has no meeting scheduled with Vardakar – spokesman (RTE)

Boris Johnson accepted an offer from Irish premier Leo Varadkar to meet to try to break the Brexit deadlock (Sunday Telegraph, August 11, 2019)

Varadkar and Johnson to meet for talks on Brexit (RTE, August 11, 2019)

Earlier: Bryan Wall: Madman Johnson

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (left) and Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney

Oh.

Pound falls lower on no-deal Brexit prospect (BBC)

Rollingnews

Meanwhile…

Leo Varadkar and Maria Bailey in 2016

This afternoon.

Via Taoiseach Leo Varadkar:

“Deputy Bailey was injured following a fall from a swing in a hotel in 2015. She sustained painful injuries and incurred significant medical bills as a result.

“The accident happened and the injuries were real and were confirmed by medical reports. The inquiry states that it was not a fraudulent claim.

“Minister Madigan (then a backbench TD) gave initial legal advice, guidance and assisted Deputy Bailey with her Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) application.

This was a preliminary step which often results in amicable resolution but the hotel did not engage with the PIAB. Minister Madigan did not deal with the subsequent legal proceedings.

These were dealt with by another solicitor in the firm who acted on Deputy Bailey’s instructions.

“She was advised that she had a ‘statable’ case. However, there were concerns that a finding of contributory negligence against her was likely and this was communicated to her on several occasions.

“Deputy Bailey signed an affidavit (linked to a personal injuries summons) that over-stated the impact of her injuries on her running.

The inquiry concludes that it is unlikely that a court would conclude that she deliberately sought to mislead as other legal documents talk about her running being restricted rather than not being able to run at all.

“There have been inconsistencies in Deputy Bailey’s account of events to me and the media that I cannot reconcile.

“It is clear to me, that Deputy Bailey made numerous errors of judgement in her handling of this matter from the outset, during and even after she’d withdrawn the case.

And her approach jars with that of a Government taking action to reduce personal injury payments, claims and insurance costs to people and businesses.

“For these reasons, I am demoting her and removing her as Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing.

“I hope this will send a clear message to other public representatives about taking such cases in future.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this afternoon

Meanwhile…

Via Maria Bailey TD:

The Taoiseach has removed me as Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government and I accept this decision.

“I initiated legal proceedings following an incident in 2015 in which I suffered painful injuries. I acted on legal advice throughout the process, but ultimately decided to withdraw the proceedings in an attempt to end the extraordinary media and political pressure that arose from the publication of some details of the case.

I began the process leading to the taking of this case before I was a TD, in relation to an incident that took place over four years ago. I regret very much that I took the case.

“I note that the report by David Kennedy SC has found that this was not a fraudulent claim, and that it would be unlikely that a court would conclude that there was any attempt to mislead on my part. I made no attempt to mislead.

“I recognise and regret the difficulties this issue caused for the Taoiseach and my colleagues during the recent elections. I want to express sincere thanks to members of my family, friends and colleagues who have been personally supportive of me during this recent period.”

Maria Bailey this evening.

Previously: ‘I Found Myself On The Floor’