Results 6,741-6,760 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar
- Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (8 May 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 provision of signage on 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 the above position I have referred the Deputy's...
- Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (8 May 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 — Road Safety: Road Safety (8 May 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. Noting the above position, I have referred the...
- Written Answers — Regional Airports: Regional Airports (8 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: The total allocation for regional airports as provided for in my Department's Vote for 2012 is just over â¬16 million. This includes approximately â¬6 million to fund the Capital Expenditure (Capex) Grant Scheme for the Regional Airports at Donegal, Knock, Kerry and Waterford. It also includes provision for current expenditure subvention totalling â¬10 million to cover both the Core...
- Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (8 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: A list of the reports commissioned by my Department since 2011 are in the table below. Ministerial allowances are paid by the Oireachtas and do not form part of my Department's vote. Year Name of Consultant Cost Purpose 2011 Deloitte â¬42,350 Financial and Economic Appraisal of implications of an Aviation Growth Incentive Proposal 2011 Avia Solutions â¬16,940 Advisor for appraisal of...
- Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (8 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: The amount spent on external public relations, marketing or communications consultants by my Department since its formation in March 2011 is â¬4,828. Communications Clinic were paid â¬3,860 and Montague Communications were paid â¬968 for the development,delivery and management of a publicity and advertising campaign in respect of Bike Week, 2011. Internal Departmental resources are used...
- Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (8 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on 1st December 2009, the provision of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as LUAS BXD, now comes under the remit of the NTA. The capital funding provided to the NTA to fulfil its statutory role is allocated in line with the policy objectives and priorities outlined in the various capital...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: Since my appointment as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on 9 March 2011, my Department has, as of 26 April 2012, rehired 8 retired civil servants. Currently, only two of those civil servants are still employed by my Department, and both are due to complete their work in the coming weeks. Five were Radio Officers to fill essential front-line vacancies in the Coast Guard until such...
- Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (8 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: In 2011, allocations were made to local authorities under a special initiative for sports capital projects and also under a swimming pool initiative to improve access for people with disabilities and to make pools more energy efficient. Information on all of the Sports Capital allocations is available on the Department's website www.dttas.ie. The table below lists the allocations made under...
- Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (8 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: The current edition of the Traffic Signs Manual (TSM) was last published in January 2011, and constitutes a Ministerial Direction to road authorities under section 95(16) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, and is available from my Department's website. The TSM stipulates the traffic signs to be used on Irish roads, their layout and symbols, the circumstances in which each sign should be used and...
- Written Answers — State Banking Sector: State Banking Sector (8 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: My Department has no contracts for the provision of services with the company named by the Deputy. The issue of possible conflicts does not, therefore, arise in the case of my Department but, in any event, is a matter that would be addressed on a case by case basis. As regards State agencies under the aegis of my Department, this is an operational matter for the agencies themselves. Your...
- State Airports (9 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: Deputy Dooley's question relates to the timeframe for making a decision on the future of Shannon Airport. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that at its meeting yesterday the Government decided in principle that Shannon Airport will be separated from the Dublin Airport Authority and merged with parts of Shannon Development, including its property portfolio, to form a new entity in public...
- State Airports (9 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: The Government has set out a clear strategy for the region. We intend to recapture the pioneering spirit that existed at the foundation of Shannon Airport and the duty free zone. Shannon will become independent of the DAA and no longer will it have to carry its current debt burden. It will be able to set its own charges and compete properly with other airports. This strategy could work...
- State Airports (9 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: It is our intention that the new State company will have no net debt. It will either be debt free or it will have a small amount of debt equal to its cash reserves. It may be important for the company to have cash reserves if it needs to make capital investments or absorb losses in its initial years. The reason it will be debt free is to recognise Shannon's contribution to the...
- Public Transport (9 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's question relates to commercial bus service licensing by the National Transport Authority and the impact on Bus Ãireann services. I have no function in this matter. The responsibility for the licensing of public bus passenger services was transferred under Statutory Instrument No. 566 of 2010 from my Department to the National Transport Authority with effect from 1 December...
- Public Transport (9 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: I will first answer about Expressway. As the Deputy is aware Expressway covers interurban services. It is already deregulated and is fully competitive. Bus Ãireann has made profits out of its Expressway services in the past. While Expressway is not currently profitable, it could become profitable again. The NTA adjudicates on whether licences are given on those routes. Bus Ãireann has...
- Public Transport (9 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: I agree that needs to be taken into consideration. CIE and the CIE companies are State-owned companies. We always take in mind that we want State-owned companies to be successful. It is also important to bear in mind that some of the new intercity private bus services are very popular. Passengers like the quality of service to be very good and find them relatively inexpensive. Of course...
- Parking Regulations (9 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: The Deputy asked if I will refuse any application to raise clamping charges in view of the increased pressures already felt by motorists. The programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to regulate the vehicle clamping industry. In this regard, I presented a discussion document to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht in...
- Parking Regulations (9 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: I can confirm that. I have not received any application from Dublin City Council or any other council. I can increase the cap by order, but I am not going to do so if asked. I want to build on the recommendations made by the joint committee and bring legislation to the House. The recommendation made by the joint committee was that the release fees should be reasonable and that clamping...
- Road Safety Education (9 May 2012)
Leo Varadkar: The junior certificate is, in the first instance, a matter for the Minister for Education and Skills and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. However, I believe that the reformed junior certificate, and the proposed short courses in particular, offer significant opportunities for important cross-subject learning. Education in the area of road safety is one such possibility....