Results 10,921-10,940 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Semi-State Bodies (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Dublin Port is a commercial state company that operates under the Harbour Acts.  Employment related issues are a statutory matter for the port company itself. However, officials from my Department have been informed that the employee handbook referred to is in draft format and Dublin Port is currently engaged in a consultative process on it. The trade unions have been...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry Regulations (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) has responsibility for licensing the travel trade. 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: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Resolution of the funding difficulties in the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS), where there is a deficit of over €760m, is primarily a matter for the Trustees, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme's members and the Pensions Board. The deficit in the scheme has arisen over the years as the companies and the members did not put enough into it...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Network (18 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to address this issue. Members will know that as Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007, in conjunction...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Network (18 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I neglected to reply to the Deputy's question in his introductory remarks. I do not know the exact cost of the project to date but I will ask my office to contact the Deputy with the information. I share Deputy Neville's sense of urgency with regard to this project. Adare is a beautiful tourist village. It is a lovely place to stay and to stop and it would be even nicer if not for all...

Topical Issue Debate: Public Service Obligation Services (18 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Regional Airports Programme 2011-2014, Exchequer support for regional airports is provided under a number of schemes, including a public service obligation, PSO, air services subvention. This programme reflects the outcome of the 2010 value for money review of Exchequer expenditure on the regional airports programme. Following the review, a decision was taken to reduce to two the...

Topical Issue Debate: Public Service Obligation Services (18 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I want to confirm for Deputy Griffin that the existing contracts will be extended to February to ensure continuity and no loss of service over the winter period. The Deputy makes some valid points. Government decisions should take account of not only the simple narrow balance sheet but also the wider economic benefits that derive from air connections, whether they be tourism, investment or...

Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (18 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013 for the consideration of the House. The Bill is one of a number of legislative priorities that are being pursued in my Department. Its aim is to update and modernise ship registration legislation and enhance the safety of ships that operate domestically in...

Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (18 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It is more than what I tried in the stadium.

Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (18 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: They have not elected the Deputy yet.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (18 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The details requested by the Deputy are being compiled and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

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

Leo Varadkar: I have no direct role in relation to the allocation of funding to individual tourism projects including the development of the Wild Atlantic Way.  This is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Funding (18 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Council for direct reply in relation to the efforts it is making to promote indoor sports. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Appointments to State Boards (18 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Since 2011, 235 appointments have been made to agencies under the remit of my Department. In 2011 there were 52 appointments, 78 in 2012, 79 in 2013 and 26 in 2014 to date. I have made 228 of those appointments (including re-appointments) since becoming Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Of the 2011 appointments, 7 were made by my predecessors while the remaining 45 were made by...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax Collection (18 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department's online motor tax service has proved very successful and has been enthusiastically received by the motoring public.  The overall objective is that the facility to renew motor tax online should cover as wide a range of motor tax transactions as possible.  The Department is always keen to develop the potential...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax Collection (18 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Oversight of the operation of the local government system and implementation of policy in that regard, is a matter for my colleague, the Minister of the Environment, Community and Local Government and I have no role in this matter. However I understand that local service provision in the context of motor tax services is the responsibility of the local authority in question.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Provision (18 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Further to my response to PQ No. 238 of the 8thof May, I have asked my officials to engage with the National Transport Authority concerning a review of the issues arising from footpath parking and, in consultation with all interested parties, to consider the possibility of introducing a pilot partial footpath parking scheme.

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

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 such as the N52, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (19 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It has been illegal to hold a mobile phone since the passage and commencement of the Road Traffic Act 2006. Separately, as the Deputy will be aware, it is  an offence under the Road Acts to drive without due care or regard or to drive dangerously. A person who is observed driving dangerously as a result of their cup holding would be liable for prosecution under those...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (19 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Dáil Questions 584 & 596 on the 10th June 2014 on the same matter.