Results 7,661-7,680 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Semi-State Sector Remuneration (21 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 to 228, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy is a matter for the Semi State bodies themselves. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the various State bodies under my Department's aegis for their response. If the Deputy does not receive a reply from the bodies within ten working days, please advise my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Offshore Exploration (22 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The oil exploration site off Dalkey is the subject of an exploration licence awarded by the Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources. The exploration company is required to comply with all the Rules and Procedures of the Petroleum Affairs Division of that Department prior to commencing operations at the site. These provide for the recovery of clean-up costs by individual or...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Coast Guard (22 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The new integrated communications equipment was delivered to Coast Guard stores in Blanchardstown Dublin at the end of 2009.  The installation project consists of six main phases. First phase was to evacuate the existing marine rescue coordination centre (MRCC) in Dublin on foot of an OPW notice that the building would be sold. At the same time the new National Maritime...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (22 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has operational responsibility for approving countries for the recognition and mutual exchange of driving licences, and has been continuing its engagement with the Canadian authorities since I last addressed this matter in response to a Dáil Question of 6 November. Canadian driver licensing laws are made at provincial level, and this means that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to the homeless soccer street leagues. I am aware of the work the leagues do in cities and towns, including prisons.  The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, had the pleasure of meeting those involved during Ireland's participation in this year's Homeless World Cup when he attended a reception for the team in Leinster House last...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I certainly agree the leagues do very valuable work, targeting a group that is very difficult to reach. I should have mentioned that the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, sends his apologies. He is in Brussels today attending a meeting of the Council of Sports Ministers. He has informed me that he is due to meet Deputy Sandra McLellan and Mr. Sean Kavanagh of the Big Issue street...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: During the past seven years the FAI has supported the grassroots street leagues programme throughout the country to the tune of €280,000. It contributed €130,000 towards the cost of the Irish international Homeless World Cup squad in the same period. In addition to these financial contributions, the FAI has supported some local leagues - by means of its development officers who...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Airports (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This question is about the Chicago Convention which relates to civil aviation and section 33 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1988. The latter conveys powers on authorised persons to be used, inter alia, in the interests of ensuring the proper operation or the security or safety of an airport.  These powers may also be exercised by members of An Garda Síochana.  I can...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Airports (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I do not believe I stated inspections had never been carried out. I said the powers under section 33 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1988 had never been used by officials of my Department. I cannot state whether the Garda has ever used these or other powers available to it. Where investigations have ensued, files have been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Further...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Airports (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The assurance we have been given from the highest level is that no prisoners are being rendered, extraordinarily or otherwise, through Irish airports. We have no evidence that renditions have taken place and I have no reason to believe they have occurred. There is a difference between military and civil aviation. My Department deals only with civil aviation. Civil aircraft carrying weapons...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sports Capital Programme (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The question relates to the allocation criteria for the sports capital programme and changes since the last sports capital round in 2008. Responsibility for the sports capital programme has been delegated to the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring. However, he is unable to attend the House today as he is in Brussels attending the European Council of Sports Ministers. As the Deputy will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sports Capital Programme (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As there is no prohibition on lobbying, people are free to lobby if they so wish. I have received letters from all parties, including the Deputy's. I would need to check my diary, but off the top of my head, I have not had any such meeting. The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, is handling this matter on my behalf and that of the Department. He is the person who has attended most of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sports Capital Programme (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot understand how that can be the case because no allocations have been made or signed off on. People may well find out that they have been made promises that cannot be delivered upon but no allocations have been made at this stage.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: The Gathering (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to The Gathering. There has been a fantastic response thereto across the board, from local communities, voluntary bodies, public bodies, businesses and government.  That is why I was surprised at the tone of some recent adverse comments. Tourism is a valuable service export.  Encouraging those from overseas, whether Irish or not, to sample...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: The Gathering (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I understand that question was disallowed but not by me. I imagine it was disallowed by the Ceann Comhairle's office. We have received those allegations, which I take seriously. My officials have met the person making them, as has the chief executive officer of the RSA. However, they are allegations and they need to be investigated. That is why they have been sent to the Department of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: The Gathering (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has not had the allegations since January. Once we received the information, we acted expeditiously. I asked my officials to meet the person and they did. The chief executive officer of the RSA has also met the person in question. As it is a Garda matter, it was passed on to the Department of Justice and Equality to investigate. It is something we take seriously and I have...

Other Questions: Sports Capital Programme (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: With the agreement of the House I wish to take Questions Nos. 99, 102, 130, 132, 141, 152, 154, 163, 164, 722 and 725 together.

Other Questions: Sports Capital Programme (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: These questions relate to this year's sports capital programme and any future such programmes. The question is whether there should be changes to the taxation regime to support sporting organisations and clubs. The sports capital programme is an area delegated to the Minister of State, Deputy Ring. Deputies will be aware that the Department has received 2,170 applications for funding under...

Other Questions: Sports Capital Programme (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Unfortunately, €30 million is the amount sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. We have also agreed with the troika spending ceilings which are set in law. As such, any additional sum would have to come from another area of my budget and that is not something I can do now. As the Deputy correctly said, clubs making applications have offered up to €145...

Other Questions: Sports Capital Programme (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Funding has been provided for two rounds of the sports capital programme. It is proposed to have a second round during the lifetime of the Government which will allow organisations that do not receive funding on this occasion to-----