Results 8,341-8,360 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (26 Mar 2013)

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, implementation and funding options on 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. Noting...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (26 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Since March 2011 the Government has implemented a range of measures to support the tourism industry.  VAT has been reduced to 9% on accommodation, restaurant and other services and this lower rate of VAT continues in 2013.  The Visa Waiver Scheme is encouraging visitors from emerging markets to add Ireland to their trip...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (26 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Since March 2011 the Government has implemented a range of measures to support the tourism industry.  VAT has been reduced to 9% on accommodation, restaurant and other services and this lower rate of VAT continues in 2013.  The Visa Waiver Scheme is encouraging visitors from emerging markets to add Ireland to their trip...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Maintenance (26 Mar 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...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to the conduct of audits and studies on the road network. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in respect of the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am happy to do so. My office does not put in questions on behalf of backbench Deputies, but we tell them when Question Time is coming up and when the deadline is and we invite them to submit their questions on relevant issues, which they do all the time. It is important to bear in mind that everyone in the House is elected and everyone in the House has an equal right to ask questions. As...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I will give Deputy Dooley a straight answer to the straight question he has asked. I am looking at the question paper before me. Of the first ten questions, only two are in the name of Fine Gael Members. It is not until the seventh question that any Fine Gael Member gets an opportunity to ask a question.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Question No. 11 is in the name of a Fianna Fáil Member. Question No. 12 is tabled by a Sinn Féin Member. No. 13 is from a Fianna Fáil Member.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Generally, only the first 20 get covered.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The largest party in the House has perhaps three or four questions out of 20. I have what I believe to be a valid question: why is it that when we have Question Time here Deputy Dooley is the only person from Fianna Fáil who turns up? We have been having Question Time for two years and the only person who turns up from Fianna Fáil is Deputy Dooley. Is it that his party has no one...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: -----and to me that is more than fair.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It may have been the practice in the previous Government that backbenchers did not have a say and were only allowed to speak at private parliamentary party meetings, but this is a different Government and we are serious about Dáil reform.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It is the case that we encourage backbenchers to take part in Question Time and the Order of Business, as they should.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: With regard to the figure of €42 million, that is not additional money but money already allocated. Local authorities have more flexibility in how they can use it. They have a right to use it in a discretionary way. They requested this discretion in order that they could prioritise emergency repairs over restoration works. I have also allocated an extra €2.7 million,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bus Services (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to the structure of the public service obligation bus market. 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 conducted a non-statutory public...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bus Services (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It is absolutely the case that international experience is mixed. The very good report produced by the Competition Authority gives an overview of where this has worked well, where it has not and the reasons for that success or lack thereof. The report gives us a good idea of how this can be done in the right way. The subvention paid to public transport is relatively low. It is important...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: According to the latest Central Statistics Office figures, spending by visitors to Ireland increased by 4.5% last year to €3.68 billion.  For holidaymakers, expenditure increased by 10% from North America and by 11% from other long-haul areas.  For mainland Europe, where holidaymaker expenditure grew by 3% overall, spending by German holidaymakers grew by an impressive 19%. ...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question. I visited the Moore Street site about a year ago and I certainly believe the O'Connell Street and Moore Street sites, taken together, have real potential for tourism and also for our own history and heritage. I have discussed this matter with the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, and, ultimately, it will be his recommendation that the Cabinet...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I take on board the Deputy's views. As she knows, there are a number of proposals for the site. There is a proposal led by the developer and supported by some of the families, and there is an alternative proposal. I know the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, is examining those and I am sure he will make a decision in due course.

Other Questions: Public Transport (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Accessible and attractive public transport systems are essential to attract potential passengers out of their cars and to reduce congestion in our cities, towns and villages. Significant investment has been made in the country's public transport network in the last decade. As I am sure every Deputy agrees, we have modern bus, tram and train fleets. While we are not in a...