Results 7,741-7,760 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Penalty Points System (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The mutual recognition of penalty points between Ireland and Northern Ireland is being dealt with under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).  Initially this work involves the mutual recognition of penalty points in each jurisdiction for the road traffic offences of speeding, drink/drug driving, non-wearing of seatbelts and using a mobile phone while driving. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed Legislation (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I expect to bring the General Scheme of the Road Traffic Bill to Government in December for approval for formal drafting. Once formal drafting is approved, my Department will engage with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to expedite the process.  It is, as the Deputy will understand, never possible to be certain in advance how long that drafting process will...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Targets for overseas visits to Ireland in 2013 will be set in Tourism Ireland’s Business Plan for 2013, which will be agreed at an upcoming meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in accordance with its governance arrangements. Targets at the operational level are matters for the agencies responsible for promoting and developing Irish tourism. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Revenue (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Cost competitiveness is a key consideration for Ireland in attracting tourists and transport is just one of the many factors influencing that competitiveness.  Clearly, transport costs have had an impact on tourism, not just over the past three years but over many decades.  In practice, the main driver is and has always been the cost of oil which is ultimately set by the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Tourism is central to the Government’s strategy for economic recovery and jobs and has been integrated into the broader economic strategic framework.  This overall strategic approach is complemented by the work of the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, assisted by the work of the industry-led Tourism Recovery Taskforce. Key commitments in the 2011...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Agencies (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Two task forces entitled the Aviation Business Development Task Force and the Change Management Task Force, respectively were set up on 29 May 2012 to assist the Steering Group that was established to progress issues around the Government’s decision in principle of 8th May to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority and merge it with a restructured Shannon...

Topical Issue Debate: Irish Coast Guard (28 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Before I respond on this issue, I would like to divert slightly and endorse the view expressed earlier by Deputy Humphreys. I support the proposed development of a plaza around College Green. If we were to develop a Luas service there and ban cars from the area and, possibly, construct a tunnel underneath, it could be a fabulous space. We have preferential shares in Bank of Ireland which...

Topical Issue Debate: Irish Coast Guard (28 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for his comments and invitation to visit Malin Head over the summer which provided a useful opportunity for me to see the centre in operation. As I said, significant changes in the Coast Guard in terms of efficiencies, information technology and structures will be required. There will also be a need to free up a particular number of staff from the Coast Guard and Marine...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: The Gathering (28 Nov 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 advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (28 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This is a matter for Dublin Bus and I have forwarded 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 — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: The Gathering (28 Nov 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 advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (28 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This is a matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA).  I have forwarded 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 — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Adviser Pay (28 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: There are two special advisers employed in my Department.  Their salaries are €105,837 per annum and €83,337 per annum.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Project Contracts (29 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: 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 concerned. Within its capital budget, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Project Contracts (29 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: 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 Act 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The Gort-Tuam PPP project is one of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (29 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.  The carrying out of works on these roads is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. In July this year, the National Roads Authority (on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Signage (29 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: 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 concerned. Within its capital budget, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (29 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue of bus stop improvements is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Eireann.  I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (29 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Daytime Running Lights (DRL) involve motorists either using their dipped headlights during the hours of daylight or fitting dedicated daytime running lights in an effort to make vehicles more conspicuous and hence increase road safety by reducing the number and severity of road traffic collisions.  An increasing number of vehicles have dedicated DRL fitted as standard, and it became...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (29 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the operation of the testing process under the SPSV skills development programme, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10...