Results 6,161-6,180 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the provision of public bus passenger services under the award of public service contracts. In addition, the responsibility for the public passenger bus route licensing was transferred under Statutory Instrument No. 566 of 2010 from my Department to the NTA with effect from 1 December...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1024 and 1025 together. The Programme for Government commits to continued investment in the National Cycle Policy. My Department is implementing that commitment through, inter alia, continued improvement of facilities and infrastructure for cyclists. I am also pleased that strong levels of investment in smarter travel including funding for additional...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The names and salaries of each person serving as an advisor to Minister Varadkar and his predecessor on each of the dates 1st December 2009, 1st December 2010 and 1st December 2011 are set out in Table 1. The names and salaries of each person directly appointed by Minister Varadker, Minister of State Alan Kelly, Minister of State Michael Ring and by their predecessors on each of the dates...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department supports both the Work Placement Programme run by FAS and the JobBridge Internship Scheme run by the Department of Social Protection and Solas. The Department has facilitated six JobBridge graduate interns of 9 month durations and one four-week graduate internship through the EC funded Project "European Integration Scholarship – Speak European" during 2011.

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Goods vehicles are subject to roadworthiness testing under European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 771 of 2004). In these Regulations a "goods vehicle" is defined as a "mechanically propelled vehicle, or an articulated vehicle, constructed or adapted primarily for the conveyance of goods or burden of any description whether or not the vehicle is used for such a...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Responsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing system in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) became the function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 30th September 2010 in accordance with section 58 of the DTA Act 2008. I understand from the NTA that the Authority fully respects the right to privacy of Leap Card holders, and does...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The information as requested by the Deputy, regarding membership of the Board of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), is as follows: Director Date of Appointment Date of Expiry of appointment Declan Collier 04.04.2005 Contract ends on 3 April 2012* Gerard Collins 05.11.2009 06.11.2012 Barry Nevin 24.03.2005 01.10.2013 Michael Lenane 30.09.2009 01.10.2013 Mary McCabe 01.12.2008...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. As part of this responsibility both I, and my Departmental officials, engage with the NRA on a regular basis on these issues. However, within the funding and policy framework set by my Department, the assessment and prioritisation of individual...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Office of Public Works (OPW) arranges the procurement of office and other accommodation required for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and State funded bodies under the aegis of the Department. In addition rental agreements for premises are entered into by individual State funded bodies. Since the ownership of these buildings is not vested in the Department or the bodies...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (11 Jan 2012)

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, 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 question to the NRA...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (11 Jan 2012)

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, 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 question to the NRA...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1039 and 1040 together. In October last, I appointed consultants to carry out a study of options for the future ownership and operation of Cork and Shannon airports. The consultants were asked to provide wide ranging advice on all possible options. I received their report in December and I am currently considering their analyses and recommendations. I...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1041 and 1058 together. I presented proposals for "The Gathering 2013" at last October's 2011 Global Irish Economic Forum. The National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland is the lead agency for the implementation of The Gathering initiative and is also responsible for the development of tourism in the regions. The event will be the biggest tourism...

Written Answers — Clamping Industry: Clamping Industry (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware of a range of issues which have been raised by members of the public regarding difficulties they have encountered with elements of the clamping industry. While current legislation permits local authorities to clamp vehicles in public places, either directly or by contract with a clamping company, there is no legislation covering clamping on private property. In line with the...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1043 and 1052 together. Statistics in relation to overseas visits to Ireland, like other official statistics, are compiled and published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), under the Department of the Taoiseach. Final figures for 2011 are still being compiled. However, the Overseas Travel Survey for the first 11 months of 2011 was published by the CSO...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1044, 1054 and 1059 together. The Jobs Initiative introduced a reduced 9% VAT rate from July 1st on a range of services, including hotels and restaurants. The Government also halved employers' PRSI for those on modest wages and introduced a visa waiver scheme that makes Ireland more accessible for tourists from important new and emerging markets. These...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Government recognises that tourism is very important to all regions of Ireland. It generates total revenue of the order of €5 billion and employs an estimated 180,000, spread throughout the country and much of this in rural areas. The Government's Jobs Initiative last year placed the tourism and hospitality sector at the heart of our economic recovery, recognising its vital...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the National Roads Authority (NRA) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007). Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's Question to the...