Results 6,781-6,800 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Car Parking Charges (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's question relates to car parking charges at railway stations in Cork. This is a day-to-day operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and not one in which I have any role. I have, however, been informed by Iarnród Éireann that the stations at Midleton, Carrigtwohill, Glounthaune and Little Island in County Cork have car parks which are charged on the same basis as commuter...

Tourism Sector (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The question relates to the temporary lower 9% VAT rate that applies to a range of services in the tourism and leisure sector, including hotels and restaurants. The initiative is aimed at supporting the creation and maintenance of employment as well as helping tourism businesses to lower their cost base. This allows those businesses to offer a more competitive product offering to tourists....

Tourism Sector (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for the question. The reduction in the VAT rate has been successful in increasing employment in the sector and it is clear that, by and large, it has been passed on to consumers. It is important the reduced rate be continued until the end of 2013. That was always the intention. That was the announcement made at the time of the introduction of the jobs initiative and it...

Tourism Sector (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I welcome the Deputies' comments. I do my best to keep in close contact with my Northern counterpart, Arlene Foster. We even managed to attend a rugby match in Ravenhill together two weeks ago. We try to keep in contact as much as possible. One thing I would like to see happen which has not happened yet is for Derry to get involved in the Gathering, particularly with it being the City of...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The question refers to the imposition of a mandatory requirement for daytime running lights. In 2010, the Road Safety Authority reviewed the policy options available for the mandatory introduction of Daytime Running Lights or DRL whereby driving lights are switched on automatically once the engine is started. That review concluded that DRL should not be made obligatory for the time-being,...

Written Answers — Rural Transport: Rural Transport (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 19 together. Following a Government decision in January I announced plans on 28 February to achieve greater levels of transport integration and coordinated delivery across a range of Exchequer funded local and rural transport services incorporating the RTP, HSE non-acute transport, school transport and voluntary transport services. This followed a value...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Cycle training for school children is currently provided under local authority assisted programmes, under Green Schools Travel Flag programmes and by Cycling Ireland. Such training is often supported by the Road Safety Authority also. Objective 11 of the National Cycling Policy recognises the need to improve cycling standards and cyclist's behaviour on the road including development of...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This PQ relates to the capital and current budget allocations for the Luas BXD extension to Broombridge in 2012. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on 1 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...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's question relates to new proposals to deal with drink drivers. Action 119 of the current Road Safety Strategy provides for exploring alternative correction and rehabilitation options for repeat road traffic offenders. The Strategy identifies the Department of Justice and Equality as having the lead role in pursuing this Action. However, my Department has an active role in this...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to plans to upgrade the N63. 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 — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Sport undoubtedly showcases Ireland around the world and we have a proud tradition in the international sporting arena where we consistently punch above our weight. I have met with the Federation of Irish Sports and had discussions on the importance of sport to Ireland in an international context. I want to ensure that Ireland remains an attractive location for international sporting events....

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This PQ relates to bus lanes. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Matters relating to bus lanes and other traffic management issues come under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in liaison with relevant local authorities and I have no function in such matters. I am advised,...

Written Answers — Pyrite Contamination: Pyrite Contamination (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This Question concerns the issue of the use of pyrite in road construction projects. 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...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (9 May 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 schemes, including Public Private Partnership projects, is a matter for the National Roads Authority in accordance with the Roads Acts 1993-2007. In particular, the statutory power to levy tolls on...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 228 together. The Action Plan for Jobs 2012 sets out an integrated Government approach to job creation with particular emphasis on tourism as one key area for the generation of employment. Transport demand on the other hand is primarily derived from the outputs of the other economic sectors. In addition to directly generated jobs on transport...

Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Under Action 35 of the Road Safety Strategy, 2007-2012, my Department is committed to auditing and reporting on the appropriateness and consistency of speed limits across the road network at regular intervals. The audit is designed to examine and improve, where necessary and appropriate, the application by local authorities of speed limits and speed limit signage throughout the country, in...

Written Answers — Visa Waiver Scheme: Visa Waiver Scheme (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme was introduced as part of the Government's Jobs Initiative last year to promote tourism from emerging markets. Following a positive review of its impact, my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality decided in March to extend the Programme for a further four years. Tourism Ireland, the agency responsible for promoting Ireland overseas, has...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's question relates to the recommendation of the Mahon Tribunal regarding appointment of members of the National Transport Authority. I am aware of the Mahon Tribunal's recommendation that the Chairperson and the Members of the National Transport Authority (NTA) should be appointed by an Independent Appointments Board. The current members of the Authority were appointed on 1st...

Written Answers — Commissioners of Irish Lights: Commissioners of Irish Lights (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The matters raised are the responsibility of the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL). However, my understanding is that a final decision has not been made with regard to changes to the design and layout of the lighthouses referred to in the correspondence submitted by the Deputy. CIL should be in a position to provide further information on this to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's question relates to the operation of Public Service Obligation bus services and the future of such services. The Action Plan for Jobs includes a commitment to examine the bus market with a view to considering the options for public service obligation or PSO bus services post 2014. This is in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to explore the benefit to the...