Results 7,781-7,800 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (4 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as LUAS BXD, now comes under the remit of the NTA in accordance with the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008.  LUAS BXD to Broombridge is designed to be a key element in an overall integrated transport network for Dublin.  It will create a LUAS network by joining the LUAS...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Development Projects (4 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: At yesterday’s major conference on Irish civil aviation policy I announced that the Government has confirmed its decision in principle of last May to separate Shannon Airport from the DAA and merge it with a restructured Shannon Development. This decision will free the board and management of Shannon airport, together with their employees, to bring a fresh approach to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (4 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This is a matter for Bus Éireann 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: Railway Stations (4 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Arrangements for the construction of railway stations are an operational  matter for Iarnród Éireann. I have therefore referred the question to Iarnrod Eireann for direct reply. Please advise  my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (4 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as LUAS BXD, now comes under the remit of the National Transport authority (NTA) in accordance with the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008.  Pre-construction enabling works will proceed in 2013, with the main construction of the project not commencing until 2015. I understand that there has...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Regulations (5 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The making of pay-parking bye-laws by road authorities, under section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, is a reserved function of each authority. Guidelines issued by the Minister under that section, provide assistance to authorities when making pay-parking bye-laws, including examples of the structure and content of such bye-laws. Where changes are being made to existing bye-laws, other than...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (5 Dec 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 is capital budget, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourist Accommodation (5 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The collection of statistics, including tourism statistics, is primarily a matter for the Central Statistics Office (CSO).  Although the CSO does not compile any statistics on accommodation occupancy for hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, hostels or self-catering accommodation, I understand some information on occupancy levels is gathered by Fáilte Ireland through its surveys...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (5 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The collection of statistics is primarily a matter for the Central Statistics Office (CSO).  I understand that the CSO does not provide a regional breakdown of statistics in their monthly 'Overseas Travel' publication. I am aware, however, that Fáilte Ireland, provides an estimated regional breakdown of overseas visits on an annual basis, based on research of its own as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (5 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 to 143, inclusive, together. The matters raised by the Deputy in relation to passenger numbers at Dublin and Shannon Airports fall within the operational responsibilities of Dublin Airport Authority and I have referred the questions to the company for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sport and Recreational Development (5 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including increasing participation at all levels and the promulgation of guidelines and codes of practice to facilitate standards of good conduct and fair play in sport.  The Irish Sports Council has been actively engaged on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority Campaigns (5 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this particular question, i.e. how the Road Safety Authority spends its budget, is a matter for that Authority and I have referred the question to them for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Financial Resolution No. 15: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This has been a very difficult budget to frame. Every Department has had to make hard decisions. Nevertheless, I have been able to protect spending on vital areas like marine safety and the Coast Guard. I have also been able to safeguard spending in some areas of tourism and sport by ameliorating the reduction in spending agreed in the comprehensive review of expenditure published last...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Roads Authority (6 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Funding (6 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department acts as an Intermediate Body for the BMW Regional Authority Operational Programme (2007 – 2013). One railway infrastructure project, the Elimination of Speed Restrictions at Portarlington, was approved for funding under the Programme in 2010. Total expenditure amounted to approximately €14.2m and the aid rate of 50%...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Funding (6 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has not received any direct EU funding  for the provision of road, air and sea port transport facilities or installations in each of the past three years to date. However, under the 2007 – 2013 Border Midlands and Western Regional Authority Operational Programme of the European Regional Development Fund, two road projects qualified for funding.  These...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (6 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: EU Directive 2006/126EC requires all Member States to introduce a plastic card driving licence with effect from 19th January 2013. The introduction of the new form of licence presented an opportunity to examine the system by which the current driver licence service was being operated. Following a detailed study and careful consideration of the issues involved, the Government supported my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (6 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has responsibility for the licensing of aerodromes in Ireland including the approval of flight paths, so I have referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations (6 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as Kishogue train station, comes under the remit of the NTA. ...

Transport (Córas Iompair Éireann and Subsidiary Companies Borrowings) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce this legislation which deals with CIE’s borrowing powers for non–capital purposes. Strengthening CIE’s capacity to raise credit on a sustainable basis is a key element of a wider set of measures designed to place CIE’s finances in a healthier state for the future. The CIE group has had to...