Results 10,181-10,200 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Matters relating to the re-opening of railway lines, such as the line between Mullingar and Athlone, are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. CIE is in a difficult financial position and is dependent on continued bank funding. It...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: 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.  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 Roads...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Noise Pollution (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company 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: Dublin Bus Services (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 838 and 839 together. The issues raised are matters for Dublin Bus and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company 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 Promotion (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 840 and 841 together. Figures published recently by the CSO show that 2013 was an excellent year for Irish tourism with the total number of overseas visits growing by 7.2%. All of our main markets grew compared to 2012 and we enjoyed our highest ever number of visits from North America.  In terms of targets for 2014, the approved Tourism Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (18 Feb 2014)

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.  As  part of its...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (18 Feb 2014)

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.  The M50 upgrade project,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: 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.  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 Roads...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am in regular contact with hotel industry representatives and am well aware of the issues that concern the sector, indeed, I will be addressing the annual conference of the Irish Hotels Federation next week. One of the key priorities of the Programme for Government is to ensure that an adequate pool of credit is available to fund SMEs, including the tourism industry. In this regard, I am...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Tourism Ireland has set an overall target of growing visitor numbers by a further 4% in 2014 and by 13% more than the 2013 figure by 2016. With the vast majority of these visitors arriving by air, the importance of convenient, direct air access is critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism to Ireland. Tourism Ireland works with the Irish airports to fill strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Employment (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos.  853 and 854 together.  Fáilte Ireland publishes regular statistics on accommodation occupancy levels. These are available under "Accommodation Statistics and Reports" in the "Research" section of their website Since coming into office, the Government has taken key decisions to support tourism. The 9% VAT rate, which was initially a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department and I constantly monitor our national transport facilities to ensure that, given the resources available, they are achieving their greatest potential. An integrated and co-ordinated transport system is an important consideration when it comes to future decisions on transport investment. In making decisions as to future expenditure, my Department has been active to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pilot Training Colleges (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: This question refers to the liquidation of the Pilot Training College (PTC) in 2012.  PTC was a privately-owned and operated flight training organisation  that  reneged on its contractual obligations and failed its students.  Its liquidation is proceeding in accordance with company law that requires a report being made to the Office of the Director of Corporate...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I take it the amendment is a proposed change to the penalties for driving without a licence. Section 38(1) of the principal Act makes it an offence to drive unlicensed. Under the law as it stands, the penalty for unlicensed drivers is split into two categories as set out in section 38(2) of the principal Act. If a person had a licence that expired in the previous 12 months, the maximum...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: This amendment would place an obligation on the incumbent Minister to require the RSA to publish certain classes of statistics on penalty point offences. While I appreciate the importance of the kinds of figures to which the Senator refers, I do not believe that Acts of the Oireachtas are the appropriate place for such a level of detail. We already have a provision in the Road Safety...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Senators for raising the issue. Since we were here last year I have seen interlocking in operation. It happened when I was on a Matthews bus to launch the CTCC roadshow or trade show that will take place later in the year. I saw the device on that occasion and it is very simple and straightforward. I was not asked to test it but I can assure Senators that I had not been...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Again, this amendment was presented on Committee Stage. As I indicated then, the National Roads Authority, NRA, already has a statutory duty to secure the provision of a safe, as well as an efficient, network of national roads. Regulations introduced in 2011, following from the EU directive on road infrastructure safety management, have greatly strengthened the powers of the NRA in respect...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The proposed unit is in the Government’s strategy but we have not set it up yet, so we will not know how it will work. Given that the MCIB and the air accident investigation unit already exist in my Department, there is a fair amount of competence and skill in place as to how this unit might do its work. I would envisage it would be a similar process to the MCIB and air accident...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I appreciate that the amendment submitted today corrects the drafting errors contained in the amendment brought forward on Committee Stage. However, the reasons for my opposition to the proposal remain the same. The Garda has informed me that the current system is operating without difficulty. In fact, there is no evidence that the system is not working and there is no request from the...

Seanad: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Although I was unable to accept any amendments as the Bill progressed through the Seanad, I did make several commitments which I take this opportunity to reiterate. We agreed to make provision for a three-year look-back only in regard to penalty points in the service level agreements with insurers and to ensure the latter inform motorists when their records have been accessed for insurance...