Results 9,421-9,440 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: 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 assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Reliefs Application (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The zero rate travel tax initiative is part of a process aimed at generating new airline routes into Ireland and will come into effect from April 2014. There has been a positive response to the initiative from airlines so far with Ryanair and Aer Lingus Regional both announcing details of new routes and increased services from Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Knock. I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Projects Funding (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Wild Atlantic Way is set to be Ireland's first long-distance touring route, stretching along the Atlantic coast from Donegal to West Cork.  It is planned to develop it into an attraction of international scale, on a par with the Garden Route in South Africa or the Great Ocean Road in Australia, that will achieve greater visibility for the west coast of Ireland in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Projects Funding (5 Nov 2013)

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) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the Luas Cross City project, comes within the remit of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ferry Services Provision (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Ireland offers a diverse range of maritime links to and from the State to facilitate trade and tourism providing vital income streams to the Irish economy.  Over 90% of Ireland’s trade moves by sea and there are currently 22 shipping operators providing a mixture of daily to weekly scheduled shipping services from Ireland. This includes 4 companies providing year round...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I refer the Deputy to Minister of State Kelly's reply to the Topical Issue on this matter on Tuesday 22nd October last.  The matter of the reduction of the number of carriages was raised with the Chief Executive of Irish Rail when I met him earlier this week. In some cases, Irish Rail has already responded and re-introduced larger carriages to accommodate...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: The Gathering (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Gathering Ireland 2013 aimed primarily to generate additional tourist numbers and revenue in 2013.  However, it also aimed to have a longer-term impact.  We set a target of 325,000 visitors and we are well on the way to meeting that. But The Gathering was never just about visitor numbers and revenues.  It is also about community pride and strengthening links with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Staff (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Director fee levels approved by Government for each Agency are available on my Department's website. The Bus Éireann Chairperson and Directors are entitled to a fee payment of €21,600 and €12,600 respectively per annum. However, with effect from 1st June 2013 Bus Éireann's Chairperson and Directors fees were reduced by 20% in line with the recommendations of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Staff (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Board of Directors of Bus Éireann for the past 12 years can be found in their Annual Reports which are available on their website.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Appointments to State Boards (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The details of the appointment of each of the Board members of Bus Éireann are as follows: Board Member Role Appointed by Paul Mallee Chairperson Leo Varadkar Henry Minogue Board Member Leo Varadkar Kieran Fay Board Member Leo Varadkar. Gerard Ryan Board Member Leo Varadkar Aidan Murphy Board Member Leo Varadkar John Moloney Employee Representative Noel Dempsey...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Issues (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum height limit of vehicles in this country at 4.65 metres.   Following public consultation undertaken prior to the completion of the Regulations, the intention to introduce a 4.65m limit was announced in January 2007. Following representations...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together. The planning, design and implementation of individual national 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 the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply.  Please...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Agencies Staff Recruitment (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The process for appointing a chief executive officer to the Road Safety Authority is set out in the Road Safety Authority Act 2006.  Section 17(2) of the Act provides that the Board shall appoint the chief executive with the consent of the Minister.   I understand that the Board of the Authority initiated a selection process with the assistance of the Public Appointments...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Legislation (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum height limit of vehicles in this country at 4.65 metres.   Following public consultation undertaken prior to the completion of the Regulations, the intention to introduce a 4.65m limit was announced in January 2007. Following representations...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services Provision (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The zero rate travel tax initiative is part of a process aimed at generating new airline routes into Ireland and will come into effect from April 2014. There has been a positive response to the initiative from airlines so far with Ryanair and Aer Lingus Regional both announcing details of new routes and increased services from Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Knock. I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Events (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar:   The Programme for Government includes a commitment that event tourism will be prioritised in order to continue to bring major events to Ireland. The hosting of major sports events, both participative and spectator sports, can provide a great showcase for Ireland, drive international visitor numbers and the media coverage of sports tourism events...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport Fares (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. My apologies to the House for being a little bit late. I was stuck in traffic in Blanchardstown this morning. I do not set public transport fares. Just as in the telecommunications and energy sectors, it is the responsibility of the regulator - in this case, the National Transport Authority - to adjudicate on applications from...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport Fares (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It is always important to remember that public transport remains heavily subsidised, with the exception of Luas and the private bus services. While someone who cycles, walks or uses the car to get to work pays the full cost, people who use public transport are subsidised by the State. It is important to bear that in mind. If people had to bear the full cost, fares would be much higher than...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport Fares (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The average cash fare increase approved for Dublin Bus is 8.9%, but the Leap fare increase is substantially lower. I encourage people to move move to the Leap card or Leap card products. Dublin Bus passenger numbers are stabilising and have stopped falling. This is a positive sign of the economy beginning to recover. In the next couple of weeks the cost savings which eluded us in the past...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport Fares (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Oireachtas transferred the power to make these decisions from the Minister to the regulator. I have conversations with the regulator, with whom the legal power rests. The impact analysis is made every year by the National Transport Authority as part of the fare determination process. To clarify the matter, I will be proposing to the Government that there be no further cuts in...