Results 6,941-6,960 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Matters relating to the deployment of rolling stock are day-to-day operational issues for Iarnrod Eireann and I have no function in such matters. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnrod Eireann for direct reply. Please advise my private...

Written Answers — Tourism Capital Programme: Tourism Capital Programme (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department's role in tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy and it does not have a budget for the purchase of historic or other properties. Fáilte Ireland operates the tourism capital investment programme, which provides support for the development, by third parties in the public or private sector, of certain categories of visitor attractions, visitor activities, and...

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: EU Directive 2009/40/EC requires that cars undergo a roadworthiness test when they are four years old and every two years thereafter. Member States are also allowed to test more frequently and an annual NCT for cars ten years and older commenced with effect from 1 June 2011. In accordance with the directive, under the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 567 of 2009),...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 730 and 731 together. The gross annual salary payable to the grades identified in the question are set out in the table. The Secretary General's salary is €200,000 after the deduction of a voluntary waiver which he has made. Officers are entitled to claim delegates allowance for attendance at meetings abroad. The Aeronautical Officer posts attract a 24...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Since my appointment as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, six public bodies have been merged or abolished. No new ones have been established. The merger of Dublin Tourism with its parent body - Fáilte Ireland - is now complete, while Coaching Ireland has been subsumed into the Irish Sports Council. Dundalk Port Company was merged with Dublin Port Company on 12 July 2011. Tralee...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Government is committed to examining the feasibility of public bike schemes in the regional cities, as set out in the programme for Government. Given the potential for public bike schemes to enhance the city centres and provide a great boost to the cycling culture developing in the cities, I have tasked the National Transport Authority (NTA) with investigating the potential for extending...

Written Answers — Driving Licences: Driving Licences (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: While I have responsibility for the policy aspects of driver licensing, the cost of medical tests is outside my remit. As far as the cost of obtaining a driving licence is concerned, there is no fee chargeable for those renewing their licence over the age of 70. There are sound and internationally recognised reasons for requiring regular eye and medical test for older drivers, as has been...

Written Answers — Bus Services: Bus Services (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I understand the Deputy is referring to decision making by Bus Éireann about its commercial relations with CIE Tours International. I have forwarded your 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 — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Gathering Ireland 2013 will be Ireland's biggest ever tourism initiative. It aims to attract as many as 325,000 extra overseas visitors to Ireland, generating an additional €170 million in revenue to the Irish economy. The event presents a significant opportunity for all enterprises involved in Irish tourism, including CIE Tours International. Obviously, it will be an operational...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The question appears to relate to a decision by a local authority to not apply for funding for a particular project under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme. I have no responsibility for a decision by a potential applicant on whether or not to apply under the programme.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have no proposals at present to increase the maximum speed limit applicable to motorways. My Department has set up a Review Group to examine a range of issues pertaining to speed limits on the roads network. I will consider any final recommendations from that review group in due course. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In 2008, the National Roads Authority (NRA) made an application to my Department for the redesignation of the N6 Athlone Bypass as a motorway. This application was carefully considered but was ultimately turned down for various reasons, including the fact that this would result in pedestrians, cyclists and agricultural vehicles being prohibited from using the bypass. I have no plans to...

Written Answers — Bus Services: Bus Services (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of public service obligation services by the CIÉ companies is subject to contract between the companies, in this case Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have forwarded a copy of your question to the NTA for information. Notwithstanding the NTA's statutory responsibilities, the Government recognises there is a need for the CIE companies to respond to...

Written Answers — Tourist Accommodation: Tourist Accommodation (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Fáilte Ireland does not issue licences to run caravan or camping parks but is responsible for maintaining a register of such parks and for setting the minimum standards for registration. It is illegal under the Tourist Traffic Acts for parks which are not registered to describe themselves as caravan parks or camping parks or a number of further protected titles. To qualify for...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (20 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The James Joyce Tower and Museum was operated by Dublin Tourism up to 2011 but now falls within the area of responsibility of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have asked the agency to reply directly to the Deputy. If you do not receive a reply within ten working days, please contact my private office. I understand from Fáilte Ireland that the tower and museum were open throughout...

Written Answers — Road Openings: Road Openings (20 Jun 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 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...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (20 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Penalty Points System: Penalty Points System (21 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Review of the Irish Penalty Points System, which I recently published, recommends that, in order to effect a targeted reduction in the number of motor cyclist road fatalities, further research into specific penalties for motor cyclists may be merited. The Review is currently with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications. Once I have received the Committee's input I...

Written Answers — Road Maintenance Projects: Road Maintenance Projects (21 Jun 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 planning, design and maintenance of individual road projects, including traffic junctions, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 acting in conjunction with the local authorities in whose...

Written Answers — Bus Services: Bus Services (21 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Bus Éireann operates expressway services as commercial services in what is a competitive bus market. Such services also require a licence from the National Transport Authority. I have referred the Deputy's letter to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.