Results 5,301-5,320 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Departmental Estimates: Departmental Estimates (9 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Revised Estimate Volume, which is currently being prepared by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, will incorporate the changes arising from the transfer of functions for Tourism and Sport into my Department's Vote. It is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to publish the Revised Estimates Volume, after which my Department will be advised of the date...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The number of staff employed in my Department was 518.29 Whole Time Equivalents (WTE) at 31st May 2011. This includes the transfer of tourism and sport functions into the Department, which increased staff numbers. The number per grade is set out in Table 1 attached. The salary scale applicable to civil servants serving at 1st January 2010 are set out in Department of Finance Circular...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (9 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, the distribution of the proceeds of the National Lottery is the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. Grants for sporting bodies and the provision of sports facilities and recreational facilities are part funded by the National Lottery, but the annual Estimates do not include a breakdown of the source of funding between National Lottery and Exchequer funding.

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (9 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) come under the remit of the NTA. The legislative basis for this is Section 11 (1) (e) of the DTA Act 2008 "Principal Functions of Authority - The principal functions of the Authority are to secure the -...

Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I join the Taoiseach, party leaders and other Members in extending my condolences to Patricia, Tom, Clare and the rest of the Lenihan family on their sad loss. I extend my condolences to the Fianna Fáil Party, for whom a bright light has gone out. I first got to know Brian when I was a young councillor in about 2003, at which time he was Minister of State responsible for children. He was...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 651 together. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects, including the N14 and the N56 roads, are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The decision taken in 2008 to include the aviation sector in the EU emissions trading system followed an extensive process of discussion, widespread consultation and negotiation. EU Directive 2008/101/EC, which entered into force on 2 February 2009, has since been transposed into Irish law and the Environmental Protection Agency is now at an advanced stage of preparation, in consultation...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Foynes Port is owned and operated by Shannon Foynes Port Company, a commercial State company established under the Harbours Act 1996. Under the Act the company is responsible for planning and developing the port. I am not currently in receipt of any specific plan or proposal concerning the port or surrounding lands

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has no role in relation to the appointment of auditors. Under Article 33 of the Constitution, the Comptroller and Auditor General is defined as the person who shall, on behalf of the State, control all disbursements and audit all accounts of moneys administered by or under the authority of the Oireachtas.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Prior to 3 December, 2009, Ministerial approval was sought for increases in standard single fares by CIE and by the Railway Procurement Agency(RPA) in the case of Luas fares. In October 2007, the CIE companies applied for a fares increase of 8-10% to cover increased operating costs and the provision of additional services. The RPA sought an increase of 4.15% in Luas fares to cover additional...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads including the N11, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to the agency for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 659, 660, 663 and 665 together. As the Deputies may be aware, there is a recognition within the Programme for Government of the importance of the Rural Transport Programme. Specifically the Programme states that "the rural transport network is vital for rural communities as a reliable and sustainable transport service. We will maintain and extend the Rural...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Fáilte Ireland is only responsible for strategic development and promotion of the English-language education sector, supported by Tourism Ireland through its offices overseas. Enterprise Ireland, which falls under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, has the lead role in the development, promotion and marketing of international higher education generally. The...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Grant aid for urgently required safety works at Donegal Airport including replacement of the airport's localiser system (instrument landing system) and the reconfiguration and overlay of the airport's runway is currently being provided by my Department to the airport. I understand this work is well under way and should be completed within the next few months. As Donegal Airport is a private...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The audited 2010 Annual Report and Financial Statements for Bus Éireann have recently been placed in the Oireachtas Library and are also available on the CIÉ website, www.cie.ie. The annual accounts include details in the notes to the Accounts (Note 17) of revenue and costs broken down by commercial, including Expressway, and public service obligation services.

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy is aware, the Government recently announced a comprehensive review of capital spending which is now under way. The review will examine capital proposals across all sectors of the economy to establish a set of priority projects and programmes that will support economic recovery and provide new employment opportunities. The results will form the basis of a new National...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has a range of policies in place to encourage the use of public transport, walking and cycling by staff travelling to and from work. I understand that 79% of my Department's staff travel to work either on foot, by bicycle or by public transport. My Department's Workplace Travel Plan includes provision of information to staff on timetabling of public transport services and...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (15 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Department pays €116.97 per month rental for telecommunication services in respect of my constituency office. To date, no bill for usage charges has been received. The Houses of the Oireachtas provides a managed IT service for Ministers' constituency offices, which my Department has availed of. The charge for 2011 is expected to be €4,500. Two civil servants (clerical officers)...