Results 9,761-9,780 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 30 together. The primary of the Gathering Ireland 2013 was to generate additional overseas visits and increase revenue in 2013.  We set a target of 325,000 visitors and we will exceed this. A detailed study to evaluate the economic impact of The Gathering is being undertaken and it is hoped to have this complete by April. Of...

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

Leo Varadkar: The new national aviation policy will outline the actions to be taken by Government to help sustain and develop the aviation sector, in order to create jobs and facilitate business and tourism. A total of 74 submissions were received as part of the public consultation process that took place earlier this year. The number and quality of the submissions received is...

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

Leo Varadkar: The core objective of National Ports Policy is to facilitate a competitive and effective market for maritime transport services. The long-term international trend in ports and shipping is toward increased consolidation of resources in order to achieve optimum efficiencies of scale. This has knock-on effects in terms of vessel size, the depths of water required at ports and the type and scale...

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

Leo Varadkar: My Department's role in relation to tourism relates primarily to national policy. It is not involved in the administration of tourism-related funding programmes nor the building of tourist attractions.  That is a matter for the State tourism agencies.   In this regard, Fáilte Ireland administers the Tourism Capital Investment Programme, which provides...

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

Leo Varadkar: Work on developing a strategic framework for investment in land transport is ongoing within my Department. The assessment of specific projects required to meet current and future demand will, however, remain subject to detailed appraisal of the benefits and costs of each individual project. Many issues shall be addressed in this investment framework. Future transport demand depends on...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Tourism Policy Review was launched on 11th September 2013 by Minister Ring and me.  It was launched with the publication of an issues paper and request for submissions.  The level of interest has been such that I extended the deadline for receipt of responses to the public consultation to 22 November 2013. A detailed analysis of all responses has commenced.  In terms of the...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 26, 31, 47 and 54 together. While the issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), Minister Varadkar and I have been in contact with both in relation to the matters raised. Any changes to rail services provided under the PSO contract with Iarnród...

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

Leo Varadkar: Since 1999 various EU directives have set common rules on distance-related tolls and time-based user charges (vignettes) for HGVs for the use of certain infrastructure.  It is open to any Member State to introduce road user charges if it wishes.  Road charging is an important revenue source option in relation to funding of roads infrastructure, particularly in the context...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Ireland-U.S. Preclearance Agreement signed by both Governments in 2008, provides for the preclearance of commercial and general aviation aircraft and their passengers. The agreement explicitly excludes cargo preclearance. An Ireland - US Preclearance Consultative Group, comprising  U.S. and Irish officials was established to monitor progress in preclearance...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 53 together. 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...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is right to highlight the importance in ensuring competitive conditions within our ports sector. Last month the Competition Authority published its review of competition in the ports sector. The report is a thorough analysis of competition within the sector and my Department is currently examining it in detail.  The  Competition Authority's report states that...

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

Leo Varadkar: One of the key action points arising from the National Ports Policy published last March is that control of the five Ports of Regional Significance, including Dún Laoghaire, should transfer from central to local government. The future of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is not as a major freight or transport hub, but rather in maritime tourism, marine leisure and public...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 43 and 44 together. 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...

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

Leo Varadkar: I became aware of concerns regarding Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons, known as EPIRBs, on 21 November. I sought and received a detailed report from my Department.   Earlier this year, my Department became aware of four defective EPIRBs and these were returned to the manufacturer. At end October, the manufacturer informed my Department that an analysis had shown a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 58 together. 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...

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

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) between them have statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop the three State Airports and as such engagement with stakeholders is an operational matter for the companies involved.  Policy in relation to the future of Cork airport of was decided by Government in November...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 40, 42 and 57 together. My Department and Fáilte Ireland have been examining the potential benefits and costs that would be associated with supporting the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) in submitting a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023.  I recently brought a Memorandum for the Information of the Government to the Cabinet on...

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

Leo Varadkar: The recent crash of a police helicopter in Scotland was a very tragic event and I want to extend my sympathies to the families of those involved.  The mandatory installation or otherwise, of flight recorders and other equipment on aircraft, including helicopters, is a matter for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) on the basis that  the...

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

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment “to legislate to regulate the vehicle clamping industry”. Therefore, in late 2011 I asked the Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and Gaeltacht to take a role in the pre - Heads of Bill stage and to contribute to the initial drafting of legislation. The Committee carried out a...

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

Leo Varadkar: Figures published by the Central Statistics Office show that Irish tourism is enjoying a very good year and all of our main overseas markets are showing growth. For the ten month period between January and October, the number of overseas visits to Ireland increased by 7.3% to over 6 million. Visits from North America were up 14.6%; visits from Mainland Europe were up...