Results 8,021-8,040 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has had previous correspondence with the person referred to in the question and is looking into the issues raised in his email.  A further reply will issue to that person as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Agencies (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The information sought by the Deputy is in the following table. It should be noted that in total there are 29 agencies under my Department's remit with a total of 236 individuals currently serving on boards. It is important to note that the boards of each body are appointed in different fashions, with some positions being ex officio positions, some worker directors or others directly...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Maintenance (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Works on such roads are a matter, for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Project Contracts (31 Jan 2013)

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. Within its capital budget, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012 these are matters for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply, and would ask her to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Renewals (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Recently, in conjunction with the introduction of the new plastic card driving licence and the centralisation of driver licensing nationally under the Road Safety Authority (RSA), I introduced a new fee structure for driver licensing.  This represents the first time that fees have been increased since 1989. Driver licence fees have not been keeping pace with inflation since 1989 and,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: In respect of the future provision of bus services the Programme for Government contains a commitment “to establish a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Infrastructure to explore the benefits to the public transport passenger of a more diverse bus service provision”.  In line with this commitment the National Transport Authority (NTA) conducted a non-statutory public consultation in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together. A letter was received by the National Sustainable Travel Office of my Department in relation to the Limerick/Kerry railway line.  I understand CIÉ also received a similar letter and in its response has stated that CIÉ is the owner of the property and will continue to access its property as...

Seanad: The Gathering Ireland 2013: Statements (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I welcome the opportunity to address the House today about The Gathering Ireland 2013 and outline progress on the initiative at the beginning of a very significant year for Irish tourism. Tourism has always been an important driver of economic activity for Ireland. It is estimated that the tourism and hospitality industry employs approximately 185,000 people and every year generates in the...

Seanad: The Gathering Ireland 2013: Statements (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Did the Senator say "leprechaun hunt"?

Seanad: The Gathering Ireland 2013: Statements (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: And Tipperary.

Seanad: The Gathering Ireland 2013: Statements (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Senators for their contributions which were very interesting, stimulating and thought provoking. Senator Ó Murchú pointed out that the diaspora is not just about tourism or St. Patrick's Day and I strongly agree with this. I often feel the Irish abroad unit at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not get enough credit for the work it does. Everyone is very aware...

Seanad: The Gathering Ireland 2013: Statements (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I did not. I do not think I knew him at that stage. It was several years ago. It is a lovely town with a lovely built heritage and great activities. I certainly intend to make a visit in the coming year or so. Senator van Turnhout raised a very important question on the use of the brand and it has crossed my mind. I will follow up on it. I disagree with her in that I do not have any...

Seanad: The Gathering Ireland 2013: Statements (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: New York city has a bed levy and taxis pay a small levy. The money raised goes into promoting New York, promoting the city, paying for the convention centre and for all of those types of activities. I am not sure if Ireland is ready for a levy yet. The tourism industry is on the floor so it is not ready for it. The principle is good and the same could apply to food and Bord Bia. Those...

Seanad: The Gathering Ireland 2013: Statements (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Senator Quinn mentioned heritage houses and free flights. With regard to the latter, we examined the issue of free flights and had some discussions with the airlines which did not prove successful. Free flights can be arranged to an island but it is trickier for Ireland because there are huge displacement risks. One could end up giving free flights to 80% of the people who would have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Appointments to State Boards (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: In consultation with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and with Minister of State Michael Ring TD, I have nominated Patrick Wall as Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland. Patrick Wall is Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin and is qualified both as a veterinary surgeon and a medical doctor. Mr Wall was appointed by the board of directors of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Expenditure (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The breakdown of the capital spend for the month of December is set out in the table.  The 2012 gross capital allocation for my Department was €1,245 million and there was a capital carryover from 2011 of €8.7 million. The gross December spend of €414 million represents just over 33% of that total amount.  Spending profiles in my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Freedom of Information Requests (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: A request for this correspondence was received by the Marine Survey Office of my Department under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 and 2003. A decision was made to refuse the request under the terms of the Act.   The requester is entitled to appeal the decision by writing to: The Secretary of the FOI Internal Review Board, Department of Transport, Tourism and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: If I may begin with a clarification, there is strictly speaking no such thing as an 'EU driving licence'.  Ireland issues Irish driving licences whose format accords with EU standards.  We have now changed over from a paper format of driving licence to a new EU standard plastic card driving licence.  The new licence accords with a format set out in Directive...