Results 5,441-5,460 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Tourism Promotion (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Tourism Ireland is a North-South Body established under the Good Friday Agreement and it is accountable to the North South Ministerial Council, of which I am a member. At one meeting I had the opportunity to speak to my counterpart and a bilateral meeting is planned in due course. When this issue was initially discussed it was the view of the Government at the time that there would be a...

Tourism Promotion (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Our aim is to have a united Ireland and it is the aspiration in Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution. However, the Deputy will know better than me that these issues are sensitive and complex and we do not wish the Unionist community to perceive a threat or that we are trying to take over their authority. I understand the Deputy's viewpoint and I have sympathy with what he is suggesting,...

Public Transport (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 52 and 54 together. I am aware of the report referred to in the questions. Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus strongly dispute the conclusions in the report. All figures included in the published financial statements of the companies are subject to independent audit by the companies' auditors. Claims provisions are also reviewed by external consultant...

Written Answers — Tourism Development: Tourism Development (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 35 together. The Government recognises that the tourism sector is very important to all the regions of Ireland. It generates an estimated employment of 170,000, spread throughout the country and much of this in rural areas. The Government's recent Jobs Initiative has placed tourism nationally and regionally at the heart of our economic recovery,...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Government's recent Jobs Initiative has placed tourism at the heart of our economic recovery. The decision to reduce the VAT rate on a range of labour-intensive tourism services from 13.5% to 9% with effect from 1 July 2011 is a major concession providing an opportunity to enhance further the competitiveness of our tourism product. The Government has also significantly reduced the...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, funding is allocated towards the provision of sports facilities at national, regional and local level. It is the primary vehicle for promoting the development of sports and recreational facilities in Ireland. The Programme has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland with...

Written Answers — Sports Development: Sports Development (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Sports Council and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland have an excellent working relationship and engage in a number of joint initiatives such as the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport and the biennial All Island Sports Development Conference. Coaching Ireland, which has the lead role in the development of coaching in Ireland, operates on an all island basis....

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: In my announcements of the 8th and 24th June respectively I have clarified the terms of reference and the membership of the Taxi Regulation Review Group, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. The review will enable necessary further reforms of the sector to allow consumers to have confidence in the taxi system while also ensuring that legitimate and competent...

Written Answers — Stadium Projects: Stadium Projects (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: At its meeting on Tuesday 21 June, the Government approved my proposals for the development of the National Sports Campus at Abbotstown/Blanchardstown on an incremental basis. In particular I have asked the National Sports Campus Development Authority (NSCDA) to proceed with the development of a National Indoor Training Arena, which would include an Indoor Track. I am acutely aware of the...

Written Answers — Suicide Prevention: Suicide Prevention (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Investment in sport is based on our belief that it is an important part of our individual, community and national life. It can make a major contribution to some of our most pressing social and health issues, including mental health and suicide prevention. We all appreciate the important role that sport plays in our society in promoting healthy lifestyles, creating a sense of identity and...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Finance has responsibility for the National Asset Management Agency and Minister Noonan has answered Parliamentary Questions on this matter in the Dáil recently. For details of NAMA's commitment to contributing to broader social and economic objectives, such as those set out in the Deputy's question, I would refer the Deputy to questions...

Written Answers — Tourism Policy: Tourism Policy (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: In July 2010, my predecessor established a Tourism Renewal Implementation Group, which she chaired. This group has not met since my appointment. I have no plans to reconvene the group. The Programme for Government 2011 sets out Government's priorities for tourism policy, including commitments on access, marketing, visas and product development. The Government's Jobs Initiative delivered...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I am of course aware of the contents of the Report mentioned. Under EU law and the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended, existing public service obligation (PSO) bus services can be procured by the NTA through direct award contracts and any other new subvented services must be procured by way of open tendering. The NTA is obliged under the Public Services Contracts to ensure that...

Written Answers — Tourism Development: Tourism Development (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 177 to 181, inclusive, together. I have an ongoing dialogue with major stakeholders in the tourism sector. The Jobs Initiative recognises the vital contribution of tourism to employment, economic activity and exports. The reduced VAT rate on a range of labour-intensive tourism services from 13.5% to 9% is a major concession providing an opportunity...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: CIÉ Tours International, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann and is registered in the United States of America. The main business of CIÉ Tours International, Inc. is to retail coach tour packages on behalf of CIÉ Tours. The accounts for CIÉ Tours International, Inc. are consolidated into the financial statements of Córas Iompair Éireann. Summary revenue and...

Written Answers — Regional Airports: Regional Airports (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: 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 is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company is a State commercial port company established and operating pursuant to the Harbours Act 1996-2009. The organisational model of the sector is designed to reduce the role of government in day-to-day organisational and commercial activities, while retaining public ownership and reserving a number of specific Ministerial consent functions. The Act clearly...

Written Answers — Olympic Games: Olympic Games (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has given its full support to the President of the Olympic Council of Ireland in regard to the proposal to have the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay travel to Ireland. The London Organising Committee of the Games has already approved this proposal and we now await the decision of the International Olympic Committee which we understand to be imminent.

Written Answers — Departmental Strategies: Departmental Strategies (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: A five year draft National Sports Facilities Strategy was completed within my Department last year. The draft strategy is currently being updated to take account of developments since then and I expect to receive an updated version shortly for consideration. A decision on the publication of the strategy will be taken when I have fully considered the issues contained in it. The aim of the...

Written Answers — An Teanga Gaeilge: An Teanga Gaeilge (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Mar Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt, tá cumhacht agam treoracha, idir treoracha ginearálta nó ar leith, a thabhairt d'údráis bóthair maidir le comharthaí tráchta. Leagtear síos sna treoracha reatha go dtaispeánfear an téacs as Gaeilge in mion litireacha atá claonta beaganín fó dheis, agus go dtaispeánfear an téacs as Bearla i ceann litreacha Rómhánach. 'Se...