Results 6,401-6,420 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (16 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. However, at that time the Government also decided that it would not be able to provide operational or capital funding to Galway or Sligo airports from 2012 onwards. This was in line with the recommendations of the Value...

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. The testing function is carried out by Applus+, since January 2010, under a contractual arrangement with the RSA. I am informed that immediately arising...

Written Answers — Olympic Games: Olympic Games (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The International Olympic Committee agreed in December that the Olympic Flame will visit Dublin on 6 June as part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. Responsibility for all aspects of the visit of the Olympic Torch Relay to Ireland, including the relay route, rests with the Olympic Council of Ireland.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am advised that recent bus network changes have meant that a number of bus lanes are no longer required. In such cases, it is a matter for the local authorities to determine the most appropriate traffic arrangements to put in place for the particular road. Within the Greater Dublin Area, the relevant local authority should liaise with the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The promotion and development of various tourism sectors and activities are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the tourism agencies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — National Substance Misuse Strategy: National Substance Misuse Strategy (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy published last week recommends that drinks industry sponsorship of sport and other large events in Ireland should be phased out through legislation by 2016. I fully support the central aim of the strategy in reducing the level of alcohol consumption in Ireland. However, I have serious concerns that a legislative ban on...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (16 Feb 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).

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority within its area, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources and may be supplemented by State road grants. The re-instatement of roads excavated by...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I can advise the Deputy that, on the basis of legal advice received, the draft audit report referred to has been issued by the Internal Audit Unit of my Department to a number of parties referred to in it in order to allow them an opportunity to comment on its contents prior to its being finalised. Once this process has been completed, the final text of the report will be submitted to my...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (16 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 are matters 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 the NRA...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Against the backdrop of very tight overall financial constraints, the grant allocations for 2012 in respect of regional and local roads have now been announced. Donegal County Council has received an increase of €1.1 million in its restoration improvement grant (above the 2011 amount) to bring it to €11.3 million. The additional monies being made available to the Council under the...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy is aware, the Trans-European Network (TEN-T) and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) were published by the European Commission in October, 2011. These were proposed by the European Commission and are currently being discussed in the European Council and in the European Parliament and therefore, have not yet been agreed. It is important to note that the TEN-T Core Network was...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As agreed with the Deputy details on the number of people employed in the Department and the applicable pay rates per grade is outlined in Table 1. The pay rates shown are the revised rates applicable from 1st January 2010 for public servants. New reduced pay (NRP) rates apply with effect from 1st January 2011 to new entrants recruited into the public service. The Department of...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The State tourism agencies are working hard to ensure a significant tourism impact for the finale of the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway later this year. As the promotion of such events is an operational matter for those agencies, I have referred the question to the tourism agencies and asked them to inform the Deputy of their activities in this area. Please advise my private office if you do not...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 to 265, inclusive, together. The Government made a concerted effort to reduce the cost base of the tourism sector through the 2011 Jobs Initiative which 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...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have not held discussions with the banking sector on the issue referred to by the Deputy and the primary responsibility for the restructuring of the banking system is held by my colleague, the Minister for Finance. In this regard, I am informed that under the restructuring plan for the two Pillar Banks, Bank of Ireland and AIB, both banks were required to sanction lending of at least €3...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual 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. As outlined in the Infrastructure and...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Tourism Ireland is the all-island tourism marketing company established under the Good Friday Agreement. The Company has responsibility for the overseas promotion of the entire island of Ireland as a tourist destination, Tourism Brand Ireland and the delivery of regional and product marketing and promotion activity on behalf of Fáilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Details...

Seanad: Harbour Authorities (21 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The existing policy on regional harbours is as published in the 2005 ports policy statement, namely, that the continued operation of harbours under the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance. It proposed that harbours would best achieve their potential through a transfer to local authority ownership or, in the case where harbours had significant commercial...

Seanad: Harbour Authorities (21 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Senator for raising the issue and he can be assured I will listen to local views. No rushed decision will be made and the provisions in the legislation on public consultation must be followed. The issue arises because this is the last of 13 harbours and the only one operating under the Harbours Act 1946, which must be repealed sooner rather than later. The Senator mentioned...