Results 6,321-6,340 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (8 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The current expenditure for regional and local roads will be reduced significantly over the next few years. Cuts of the magnitude proposed necessitated that some very good and worthwhile projects be curtailed. In making adjustments to the regional and local roads budget the primary aim has been, as far as is possible, to protect previous investment in the road network and use the...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (8 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Procurement procedures in Iarnród Éireann are a matter for the company itself and ultimately for the board of Iarnród Éireann. However, CIÉ companies are required to adhere to national and EU procurement rules and to their own internal procurement policies and procedures. The code of practice for the governance of State bodies also stresses the importance of good practice in...

Seanad: Aerfort na Gaillimhe (8 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I announced in June 2011 that I had secured Government approval for additional funding to be made available to all six regional airports in 2011, including Galway Airport, reversing the cut in funding made by the last Government. However, at that time the Government also decided that it would not be able to provide operational or capital funding to Galway Airport or Sligo Airport from 2012...

Seanad: Aerfort na Gaillimhe (8 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: If the company is wound up, the first call goes to workers who are owed pay or redundancy, then the Revenue Commissioners and then other secured creditors. The State has no claim on the money paid. It was paid to Galway Airport under the OPEX scheme to cover its operating losses, which were significant for the year. That is why the money was paid. Unfortunately, on top of that the airport...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (9 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The promotion and development of various tourism sectors and activities are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, 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 — Road Safety: Road Safety (9 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Prior to 1989, the driver licensing system permitted a car and trailer to be driven under the car licence alone. Licence categories were then changed, with separate categories covering car (Category B) and car and trailer (Category EB). People licensed to drive with trailer before 1989 were allowed to keep their old entitlements, simply by indicating this wish on the application form when...

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (9 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: While current legislation permits local authorities such as Dublin City Council 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 commitment in the Programme for Government to regulate the vehicle clamping industry, I recently presented a discussion document to the Joint...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (9 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 to 263, inclusive, together. The issues raised are operational matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have arranged for your questions to be forwarded to the NTA for a direct response. If you do not receive a response within ten working days, please notify my private office.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (9 Feb 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 (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (9 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Since my appointment in March 2011,the Taxi Regulation Review Steering Group has been set up under Minister of State, Alan Kelly. That group has now reported and completed its work. It is therefore no longer in existence. I am actively pursuing the rationalisation programme set out in the Public Service Reform Plan with the relevant agencies. The plan sets out those agencies which are...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (14 Feb 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...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (14 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The annual subvention for the provision of public service obligation (PSO) services by the CIÉ operating companies is subject to contract between the companies and the National Transport Authority (NTA) since 2009. The amounts paid in respect of PSO services since 2008 are as follows:- The amounts paid in respect of PSO services since 2008 are as follows:- Year Iarnród Éireann Bus...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (14 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Department's Organisation chart giving details of senior management of my Department and their responsibilities is available for printing from the Departments website at the link http://www.dttas.ie/about/OrgChartPrintable.htm . Further detail on the functions, records, rules, practices and contact personnel for the Department are detailed in the Department's Freedom of Information...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (14 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I understand that the initial e-mail with the relevant information was sent to an incorrect e-mail address and I apologise for this error. I understand that the requested information has since been provided to the Deputy. If in future the Deputy does not receive the information referred to in an answer to a Parliamentary Question within ten working days, he may contact my office directly.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (14 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy regarding appointments to State Boards is available on my Department's website and is updated regularly. Full details of the remuneration paid to directors is set out in the Annual Report of the relevant Agency. I am also arranging for my Department to publish on its website a document which sets out the currently approved levels of Board fees for the...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (14 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I recently announced that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport will be advertising two new rounds of the Sports Capital Programme between now and 2016. I am currently making the necessary arrangements to launch a new programme. It will be open to any organisation to submit an application under the terms and conditions that will apply at the launch of the new programme.

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (14 Feb 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 this part of the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (14 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: It should be noted that the purpose of the 25% shareholding by the State in Aer Lingus is to support the general public interest, for example, boosting tourist numbers or securing a dividend for the taxpayers rather than to support any sectoral interest whether it be staff or management. The terms of the Greenfield plan for Aer Lingus were agreed by Aer Lingus management and the Unions in...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (14 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The legislation governing bus passenger route licensing is the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 which excludes bus services solely for carrying children to or from school from its definition of a public bus passenger service. Therefore such school services do not require a bus passenger route licence. The carriage of passengers otherwise than for profit in vehicles owned by voluntary...

Written Answers — Energy Saving Projects: Energy Saving Projects (14 Feb 2012)

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 roads projects are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local...