Results 8,381-8,400 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (27 Mar 2013)

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 contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed Legislation (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Legislation is developed in accordance with set procedures which take account of all legal and constitutional issues that may arise. Issues contained in international agreements where relevant are considered as part of this process. The procedures for the development and enactment of legislation provide the opportunity for both Senators and Deputies in the Houses of the Oireachtas...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: While I have not had meetings with interest groups regarding Ireland West - Knock Airport, since coming to office, senior officials of my Department and I have had meetings and engagements with Knock Airport itself on a number of occasions.  Most recently, I met the Board of the Airport, along with the Taoiseach in Mayo on 28 January 2013.  At that meeting,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Development (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy points out, Bantry Harbour is the last remaining harbour operating under the Harbours Act, 1946.The core business of Bantry Bay harbour is the oil storage and transhipment terminal on Whiddy Island. Provision was included in the Harbours (Amendment) Act, 2009 to allow the transfer of Bantry Harbour to the Port of Cork to take place. The Act provides that a public consultation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (27 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 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. Once the outcome of the legal...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbour Authorities Appointments (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I informed the Deputy in response to Questions on 19 February 2013 that at present I am actively recruiting a Chairperson, and I hope to be in a position to make an appointment shortly. I have undertaken previously that I would ask the new Chairperson to review certain matters relating to the CEO remuneration raised by the Deputy.  The Chairperson...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I have been in consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Garda Commissioner in relation to the testing of drivers for alcohol following a road traffic collision where injury or death have been caused, as provided for under road traffic legislation.  While the enforcement of the legislation in respect of the mandatory testing of drivers is primarily a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services Provision (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Developing more air services from Ireland to global destinations and bringing more tourists from overseas are two of the key policies set out in the Government’s 2013 Action Plan for Jobs. From a regulatory perspective my Department aims to ensure that there are no legal or regulatory impediments to the introduction of air services by negotiating bilateral air services agreements...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I will be launching the new Road Safety Strategy at the EU Presidency Road Transport Safety Conference on Serious Injuries on 28 March 2013 in Dublin Castle. The aim of the Strategy, like all previous, is to save lives and prevent injuries by reducing the number and severity of road collisions. The Strategy, while not deflecting attention from road fatalities, will...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Economic Growth Initiatives (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 324, 331 and 332 together. The Programme for Government sets out the measures which the Government is taking to achieve economic recovery.  As part of this Programme, the Government recently approved an Action Plan for Jobs 2013, which contains 333 actions to be implemented in 2013 by 16 Government Departments and 46 agencies. The Plan...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This question is about State control of Iarnrod Eireann  and planned improvements to the rail network. Both CIE and its subsidiary, Ianrod Eireann will remain in State ownership. My Department and the National Transport Authority are working with Iarnrod Eireann to increase the efficiency and attractiveness of existing rail services. The Government continues to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Job Creation Numbers (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The 2012 Action Plan for Jobs provided that the Government would target capital investment in tourism product under the €21m capital budget available to Fáilte Ireland in 2012. Key projects completed with the assistance of this funding, and opened in 2012, include the upgrade to Fota House and Gardens, the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, and the revamped Malahide Castle...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Travel (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: My trip to Japan and South Korea was part of the Government's St Patricks Day "Promote Ireland" programme and included a schedule covering the Irish community abroad, the Gathering 2013 and the promoting of investment in Ireland. St. Patrick's Day is a unique opportunity to promote Ireland abroad. Few, if any, other countries have a national day which is so widely known and celebrated...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Regulations (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Ouzky Report concerns proposals for more stringent limit values on  noise emissions by road vehicles, requiring an upgrading of the 1970 European regulation which establishes the limit values of acceptable noise emissions (Regulation 70/157 EC). I understand that the proposed new limits, if agreed by Member States, would apply in the first instance to the authorisation of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 73 together. As the Deputy will be aware, Shannon Airport was separated from the Dublin Airport Authority on 31st December last and the assets and business of the airport were transferred from the DAA to the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA). My Department continues to work with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on the Heads of the new...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and I have referred the Deputy's Question to them 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: Tourism Projects Funding (27 Mar 2013)

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 contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Bodies (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As I stated previously on 18 October 2012, the payment of director's fees is a matter for Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. While the Code requires companies to provide details of attendance in their annual accounts and outlines a number of other requirements in relation to the payment of fees, it does not link the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Vehicles (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: There are currently 1,751,518 mechanically propelled vehicles, registered prior to 2008, operating on the roads (licensed as at the end February 2013). Of these, 1,342,527, are private cars.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Issues (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Government decided in 2011 to centralise driver licence provision, following an examination of the options for driver licensing which found that a centralised system would offer enhanced security and consistency, and be more efficient and cost-effective. The Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012 provides for the RSA to become the central driver licensing...