Results 9,741-9,760 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Semi-State Bodies Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: My Department and I are in regular contact with Aer Lingus from both a shareholder and aviation policy perspective. The airline continues to compete well as an independent airline and is due to start a number of important new direct services in 2014, including to San Francisco and Toronto. In 2012 the Government included its shareholding in Aer Lingus among the possible assets to be sold...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Semi-State Bodies Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Government remains willing to sell its shareholding at the right time, at the right price and under the right conditions, but they do not appear to be emerging at this point. When Aer Lingus was fully State-owned it was heavily loss making. Now under majority private ownership, with 75% owned privately, it is a success story. It is one of a few airlines in Europe that makes money. It...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Semi-State Bodies Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: From my knowledge Aer Lingus only became profitable again in recent years and has only paid a dividend in the past two years. I am sure the Deputy will correct me if I am wrong.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Semi-State Bodies Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It did. The Deputy will be aware that at the time of privatisation rather than the money from the sale going to the taxpayer, as it should have, some of it went into the pension fund at that time. When somebody sells an asset, the money should go to them and not to others. That is all history at this stage.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Harbour Authorities Expenditure (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, DLHC, is a commercial State company that operates under the harbours Acts. It is statutorily independent of the Government and not in receipt of any State funding. My Department is in regular contact with the company.  Neither my Department nor I is aware of any significant unexplained additional payment or expense, due to be returned, to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Harbour Authorities Expenditure (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot respond in any detail to the Deputy's question on the pension fund. It is a matter that would have to be raised with the company and the trustees. On the issue of board fees, the CEO does not receive such fees. In regard to the payment of approximately €20,000 referred to by the Deputy, that payment related to 2011 and was made in lieu of untaken leave of 38 days. I have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Harbour Authorities Expenditure (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company is a State-owned enterprise. It does not receive any public money and is not part of the public sector. As such, comparisons with the CRC are invalid. The issue raised by the Deputy relates to 2011, the year in which I took up office. As I understand it, the CEO was paid for 38 days untaken leave. The chairman has confirmed that this practice will not...

Other Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 set the maximum height limit of vehicles at 4.65 m.  This maximum height limit was decided following a public consultation process undertaken in 2005.  Originally, it was proposed that there be a two year derogation to allow for vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to the...

Other Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This law was introduced in 2008 and companies were given five years to comply with it. It is not a case of whether it is applied - it has been the law for several weeks now and I assume that it is being applied. I am not aware of the company that the Deputy specifically mentioned, but I am aware of other companies that say they can carry bales three-high in their vehicles because they have...

Other Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I will certainly examine that matter. I can see the Deputy's point that it is onerous if somebody with an abnormal load must go to seven or eight local authorities to obtain permits, particularly if the rules are different in each local authority. It is important to bear in mind, however, that the abnormal load permit scheme is in place for very large, wide or unusual exceptions, such as a...

Other Questions: Mountain Recue Funding (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: In total there are 12 mountain rescue teams in Ireland. These teams, staffed by volunteers, are called upon to operate in all weather conditions and provide a hugely important service. As we approach the end of 2013, I want to thank them and all our volunteer rescue teams for the amazing work they do. My Department, through the Irish Coast Guard, administers an annual grant...

Other Questions: Mountain Recue Funding (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As far as I understand it, that applies to some of the existing grant schemes. In 2007, there was a funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector. There are one or two other schemes which have an arrangement with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. I do not quite know the details of that, but there are some other...

Other Questions: Mountain Recue Funding (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I will certainly take the Deputy's comments on board.

Other Questions: Public Transport Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I do not know about that.

Other Questions: Public Transport Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am only happy because it is Christmas.

Other Questions: Ports Development (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Shannon Foynes Port Company, SFPC, with the ports of Dublin and Cork, was designated as a tier 1 port of national significance in the national ports policy published earlier this year. The tier 1 ports are also designated as core ports in the trans European network - transport, TEN-T, thus making them eligible to apply for EU funding under TEN-T and the...

Other Questions: Ports Development (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Five ports are designated as being of national importance, Dublin, Cork, Shannon Foynes, Rosslare and Waterford. Within that, there are three tier 1 ports, Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes. All of them have their challenges. Dublin Port is a great port but it is in the middle of a city and its main channel needs to be deepened. Cork needs improved road access to Ringaskiddy. Shannon...

Other Questions: Ports Development (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: A proper study needs to be undertaken of routes and constraints for a road upgrade. Limerick County Council has gone out to tender for reports on upgrades to the N69 and Adare bypass. These will help us make a decision in this regard. Connecting the port to the national network is not just a political priority but also a European regulatory priority because of the TEN-T CEF project. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Applications (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 48 together. Departmental officials are currently working on the details of a new round of the Sports Capital Programme. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly. I believe that this will demonstrate this Government's understanding of the value of sport from both an economic and health perspective.  Sports...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Management (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As I have indicated previously I am concerned that large numbers of HGVs continue to use our regional and local roads in order to avoid tolls, and are driving through towns, villages and rural areas with large populations. This has safety implications for other road users, residents and pedestrians. In addition by using local and regional roads instead of custom-built...