Results 7,001-7,020 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is encouraging people to do it.

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: While facilitating is one thing, actually encouraging people to do it is another thing entirely.

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Government is in discussions with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on the Joyce tower to get it reopened and I am sure they will come to a conclusion. A huge amount of investment goes into heritage, be it the €5 million that is being invested in Killarney House at present or the just-completed renovations to Castletown House with the help of the Office of Public Works and-----

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As I had read that, yes I did. However, it is something that really must be led at local level.

Smarter Transport (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 154 and 708 together. These questions relate to the Smarter Transport Bill, which was introduced last year by Deputy Eoghan Murphy as a Private Members' Bill, and the related matters of electric vehicles and car clubs. The purpose of the Smarter Transport Bill is twofold. First, it aims to promote electric car use by allowing local authorities to make...

Smarter Transport (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As far as is possible we will integrate those provisions into the road traffic Bill 2012. The Friday sessions have been very useful in giving Deputies an opportunity to bring forward their own legislation. It seems to me that the Opposition always wins the lottery and I am not sure why that is. I certainly welcome the Bill and its provisions.

Smarter Transport (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Bill will go to committee, where there will detailed discussion. The take-up for electric vehicles has been pretty slow and there are more charging points than there are vehicles. There is one at my local train station and I do not believe I have ever seen it being used. I am going to try out a car for the weekend and see what it is like. What many people do not know is that the...

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 153 together. These questions relate to my engagement with the haulage industry. I know that Deputies Áine Collins and Heather Humphreys have been seriously involved in issues relating to the haulage sector since their election. I recognise the important role of the sector in the transport of goods and the difficulties it is facing in the current...

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is absolutely correct in drawing attention to the importance of the haulage industry. Even for parts of Ireland with a rail service, 95% of all freight is transported by road. This will always be the case in a country of this size and with such dispersed settlement patterns. Haulage is absolutely essential as the country would not function without such a service. We all...

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware the essential user rebate was abolished several years ago. It was of great financial benefit to the haulage industry, as well as to private bus operators and CIE. Its reintroduction would improve the financial position of CIE, private bus operators and the haulage industry, but it is a matter for the Minister for Finance to consider. In coming to a decision on it, he would have...

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware of the issue, but I cannot answer the Deputy's question as it is handled by the Department of Finance and Revenue.

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The rules on cabotage are absurd in what is supposed to be a single European market. In a nutshell, they mean an Irish haulier in Britain or a British haulier in Ireland can only take three journeys between the two countries within a period of seven days. This is absurd, given that there is free movement of people, trade and goods across the European Union. The Benelux countries have an...

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have not been in contact with the two Departments on this matter. The issue of washed diesel and so on falls to Revenue and the Department of Finance. While it is not one we have discussed around the table yet, the Deputy's suggestion is valid. It is one of those matters that does not necessarily fall to any one Department and is not addressed for that reason. It is an issue about which...

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Fuel prices are very high. That is not just the case for hauliers, however. They are high for all of us. High fuel prices do not just impact on hauliers; they also have an impact on motorists and bus companies. While prices are high, they are by no means the highest in Europe. For example, fuel prices are higher in the UK and France. Ireland is not the worst offender in this regard but...

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: It is interesting that Deputy Ellis appears to know a great deal about fuel laundering, etc. He certainly seems to know a little more about the subject than I do.

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Perhaps Deputy Ellis might agree to meet me in private in order to inform me about the tricks of the trade and so on.

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I assure the Deputy that I am not insinuating that he is doing anything illegal.

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am just impressed by the Deputy's level of knowledge with regard to what is happening in the area in question.

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Fuel laundering is a matter for the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. There are a number of things which could be done in terms of adding markers, etc., to fuel. Isotope markers appear to be an option in this regard. The level of freight being carried by rail is increasing slightly. Irish Rail's business in this area is now quite profitable, which was not the case in the...

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I cannot provide assurances in that regard. Again, this matter does not fall within my remit. The Deputy's question would probably be best answered by the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.