Results 6,801-6,820 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The number of persons currently employed in each of my and the Ministers of State's private and constituency offices together with the full year salary cost in 2012 and similar figures for 2011 are set out in Tables 1 to 3 below. The 2011 salary costs are lower than the 2012 full year cost because fourteen Ministerial appointed staff were appointed after the formation of the Government in...

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

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is an operational matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

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

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority 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 supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded...

Written Answers — Sale of State Assets: Sale of State Assets (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's questions relate to the future of the Government's shareholding in Aer Lingus. It is important to point out that the State's shareholding does not allow it to interfere in any way in the day-to-day commercial operations of the company and while the State has three Directors on the board, these Directors have fiduciary responsibilities to act in the best interests of the company....

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 229, 230, 232 and 234 together. I am in regular contact with stakeholders in the tourism sector and in recent weeks I have addressed the Irish Hotels Federation, the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation and the Restaurants Associations of Ireland. Last year's Jobs Initiative and the Government's Action Plan for Jobs 2013 recognise the vital contribution of...

Written Answers — Airport Charges: Airport Charges (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) regulates airport charges levied at Dublin Airport. Charges at Cork and Shannon Airports are set by the relevant airport authority while charges at the regional airports, which are owned and operated independently, are a matter for each airport concerned. A study of 2010 airport charges by the Airports Council International (ACI) found that Dublin...

Written Answers — State Properties: State Properties (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have no statutory function in relation to this dispute. It may be a matter for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the DAA and asked it to reply to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 236, 237 and 242 together. My Department is responsible for the development of sport in Ireland. In that context, I recognise that sport and physical activity have significant potential to contribute to the development of a healthier society. There are huge social and health benefits accruing from sport. It can make a major contribution to some of our most...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy is aware, I recently had the opportunity to tour the major sites connected with the 1916 Rising in O'Connell St., Moore St. and Parnell St. I did this as a guest of some of the descendants of participants in the Rising. The 1916 Rising was an important event in our history and is of great interest both domestically and internationally. In this context, I have asked Fáilte...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (9 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised - insofar as it relates to promoting tourism here - is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. 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 (10 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 under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Similarly, the improvement and maintenance of regional and...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (10 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, public transport services and fares are a matter for the CIÉ operating companies in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), which regulates fares for public service obligation services. As the fare increases regulated by the NTA do not apply to promotional pricing, Irish Rail may offer discounts on regulated fares via web fares in order to...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (10 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance, in relation to VAT and other taxes and duties which are applied to fuel. I am aware that the Department of Finance has established a working group with representatives of the road haulage industry to look at this matter.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (10 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Responsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing system in the greater Dublin area became the function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 30 September 2010 in accordance with section 58 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. The integrated ticketing system is being introduced in the greater Dublin area on a phased...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (10 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I understand from the Deputy that the local group concerned is exploring the possible avenues of funding for the development of its area as a tourism location. In this regard, I think the best approach would be for the group to first engage with Fáilte Ireland who can advise on what funding is available and where best to apply for the various projects they are planning. Accordingly, if the...

Leaders' Questions (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Has Deputy Finian McGrath's time been taken up?

Leaders' Questions (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: We do not have a crystal ball.

Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Financial Resolution (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I move: That provision be made in the Act giving effect to this Resolution for the charging of, in accordance with Regulations made by the Minister under section 4 of the Act, a road safety levy to finance the ongoing costs and enforcement regime of the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (CVR) programme, which will form part of the overall fee to be charged in respect of CVR tests.

Written Answers — Penalty Points System: Penalty Points System (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Currently, where the holder of a learner permit is detected driving a mechanically propelled vehicle when not accompanied by and under the supervision of a qualified person, where so required, they commit an offence under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. Following conviction in court, they are subject to a maximum fine of €1,000 in the case of a first offence. Section 54(c) of the...

Written Answers — Driver Licensing: Driver Licensing (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The proposal to introduce an R plate for newly qualified drivers is one of the nine measures which together will add up to a graduated driver licensing system (GDLS) for Ireland, as recommended by the Road Safety Authority. It is my intention to provide in legislation for many of the elements of GDLS, including the R plate requirement, and these will be addressed in the next Road Traffic...