Results 6,501-6,520 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Government remains open to the abolition of the Air Travel Tax when conditions are right. The 2011 Jobs Initiative included a three-pronged plan to enhance overseas access and thereby promote inbound tourism through: · abolishing the travel tax conditional on clear commitments by airlines to increase inbound capacity from our source markets; · the introduction of a...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 651, 673 and 674 together. As the Deputy is aware, following receipt of the Booz Report on the future ownership and operation of Cork and Shannon airports, my Department is currently involved in detailed engagement with all relevant stakeholders on the issues involved. When that process has been concluded, I will then be in position to bring proposals to...

Written Answers — Sale of State Assets: Sale of State Assets (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has decided to include its 25% shareholding in Aer Lingus as part of its Disposal of State Assets Programme. The exact time-frame for any sale has not been decided and it will only take place when conditions are favourable and at an acceptable price.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Following the comprehensive review of capital expenditure carried out in 2011 and against the background of new funding realities a decision was taken to defer the Metro North project together with a number of other proposed new projects. The main priority to 2016 is to protect investment made to date and to maintain safety standards. The revised capital programme for transport is set out...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Dart Underground PPP was cancelled in December 2010 arising from decisions by the previous Government in the context of the reductions in spending under the then National Recover Plan. I note with interest that this decision was condemned by the Deputy' party at its recent Ard Fheis. Unfortunately DART Underground which was to be procured as a PPP with significant Exchequer support is...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Luas Broombridge (BXD) has been included in the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan to 2016 on the basis that it will be affordable and will deliver benefits by creating a link between the existing LUAS Red and Green lines, extending the network through the city centre to Grangegorman, Phibsborough and Cabra. It will also integrate with rail services on the Maynooth and Dunboyne lines...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 656, 661 and 680 together. Under EU law and the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended, existing public service obligation (PSO) bus services can be procured by the National Transport Authority (NTA) through direct award contracts and any other new subvented services must be procured by way of open tendering. At the expiry of the current 5 year direct...

Written Answers — Vehicle Clamping: Vehicle Clamping (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to regulate the vehicle clamping industry, I presented a discussion document to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht in December 2011 in which I outlined the issues which I feel need to be addressed in regulating the industry, my proposals on the shape of appropriate legislation and...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) regulates airport charges levied at Dublin Airport since 2001. Airport charges at Cork and Shannon Airports are set by the relevant airport authority while charges at the six regional airports, which are owned and operated independently, are a matter for each airport concerned. Within the limits of the overall price cap, the Dublin Airport...

Written Answers — Regional Airports: Regional Airports (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Since coming to Office, this Government has set very clear policy in relation to future Exchequer support for regional airports. This support is provided under the Regional Airports Programme which includes the Operational Expenditure Subvention (OPEX) Scheme, the Capital Expenditure Grants (CAPEX) Scheme and a Scheme for subventing Public Service Obligations (PSO) air services operating...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 662 and 663 together. 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...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (13 Mar 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. The implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007, in conjunction with the relevant local authorities concerned. In particular, the statutory power to levy tolls...

Written Answers — Stadium Projects: Stadium Projects (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 665 and 693 together. At its meeting on 21 June 2011, the Government approved my proposals for the development of the National Sports Campus at Abbotstown/Blanchardstown on an incremental basis. I have asked the Campus Authority to continue to pursue the policy of developing elements of the Development Control Plan in partnership with the GAA, FAI, IRFU and...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I recently announced that I will be advertising two new rounds of the Sports Capital Programme between now and 2016. I am currently making the necessary arrangements with a view to launching the next round of the SCP shortly. Once these necessary arrangements are in place I will make the relevant announcement.

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 667 and 668 together. The Government recognises the contribution that the tourism sector can make to Ireland's economic recovery. With that in mind, the Government's jobs Initiative last year introduced a number of measures specifically designed to stimulate the sector and improve the sector's international competitiveness. These included a reduction in the...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Many of the initiatives in relation to improving road safety are contained in the Road Safety Strategy 2007 - 2012. The Strategy identifies a number of Actions, and the bodies responsible for their implementation, that will contribute to safer roads. The core objective of the Strategy is to reduce road deaths to 60 fatalities per million of population by 2012, thereby bringing Ireland in...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 670 and 671 together. Transport is one of the areas of co-operation under the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) process. Regular meetings of the Transport Sectoral Council are held, where transport issues, including investment, are discussed. The next Transport Sectoral is due to take place on 20th April 2012. In relation to the A5 cross-border roads...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The programme for the funding of capital projects to 2016 is set out in the Medium Term Exchequer Framework 2012-16. Due to the overall reduction in funding for transport infrastructure the priority to 2016 is to protect investment made to date and to maintain safety standards. The limited funding available over and above this priority will only be provided for projects which are...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In April 2011, I announced new procedures for appointments to boards of State Bodies under the remit of my Department which are designed to widen the pool of suitable candidates for consideration for vacancies as they arise; to bring a real opportunity for suitably qualified and experienced people to shape the policy and direction of the Bodies; and to bring a new impetus and freshness of...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (13 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In light of the ongoing severe economic conditions facing the country, it is Government policy that there is a need for leadership to be shown by those who hold high office across the public sector in relation to pay restraint within the sector, including the application of the pay caps announced by Government in June of last year. These included a general pay ceiling of €200,000 for future...