Results 10,961-10,980 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (24 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I very much welcome the re-opening of Lissadell House to the public, which should assist in attracting more visitors to Co. Sligo and look forward to visiting Lissadell over the summer. However marketing initiatives are a decision for the boards and managements of the State tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed Legislation (24 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Officials in my Department, in consultation with An Garda Síochána are currently examining whether the law governing the use of animal drawn vehicles, including the use of sulkies, on public roads  needs to be strengthened.  Depending on the outcome of these discussions, I will address this matter either in the context of the Road Traffic Bill 2014 or, if...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Signage (24 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993-2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. More specifically, the NRA has responsibility for the provision of signage under Section 19 of the Act. Directional signage on national roads is provided in accordance with guidelines set...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Regulations (24 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister I have responsibility for determining the laws generally as they relate to parking on public roads.  As part of the legislation, it is a matter for each local authority to decide the appropriate controls to apply to parking within their own areas of responsibility, including the location of signage. The matter is one for the Local Authority and I have no function...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (24 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Details of the regional and local road grant payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library.  Details of the 2014 regional and local road grant allocations to each county council are also available in the Dáil library. With regard to national roads, details of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Mountain Rescue Service (24 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department, through the Irish Coast Guard, is responsible for the initiation, control and coordination of maritime emergencies in Irish territorial waters, harbours and coastline. The Coast Guard carries out this function utilising its own assets and declared resources. Currently, mountain rescue teams (MRT) fall under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Data (24 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The collection and publication of official statistics is a matter for the Central Statistics Office (CSO), which is under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach.  Not all of the figures sought by the Deputy are readily available. Official overseas visitor statistics can be found in the Tourism and Travel section of the CSO website but are not...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Community Involvement Scheme (24 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to schemes completed under the Community Involvement Scheme in 2013. Please see attached summary table of schemes completed in 2013. The types of work include (but are not limited to) drainage works, strengthening works and surface dressing. Should the Deputy require more detailed information with regard to types of works carried...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Issues (24 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I refer to my previous reply to the Deputy in relation to similar correspondence on this matter from the same individual (PQ 25150 /12 Jun).  A brief update of that previous response is provided below. The Expert Panel established to find a solution to the industrial relations issues relating to the IASS presented its final report on 16 June last.  Now that the...

State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (25 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the House for the opportunity to introduce this Bill. Deputies will recall that, 18 months ago, Shannon Airport was separated from the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA. I will reflect in a moment on the performance of the independent Shannon Airport since then. Separation of the airport was just one part of a two-step process designed...

State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I did not say that.

State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputies Joe Carey, Kieran O'Donnell and others for their kind words about my role in respect of the Shannon Airport project in the past couple of years. I also thank my officials and advisers in the Department who made an enormous effort to get us to this point. I further thank the staff, board members and others at Shannon Airport. Deputy Timmy Dooley and others referred to the...

State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (25 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport pursuant to Standing Order 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (25 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Issues (25 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 to 202, inclusive, together. Aviation safety regulation and oversight is the statutory responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the IAA for direct reply. If you do not receive a response within the next 10 working days please contact my Office.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Penalty Points System (25 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The penalty point endorsement of driver licences is set out in Sections 5 and 7 of the Road Traffic Act 2002. Penalty points are endorsed on a driver's licence following either the payment of a fixed charge notice or a conviction in court of the person of a penalty point offence. A notice is sent to the licence holder to inform them that the penalty points will be endorsed...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Issues (25 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Following the collapse of the Pilot Training College in 2012, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) made every effort to assist the students of the College to complete their training. I understand that, the IAA engaged with the relevant stakeholders in Florida and here in Ireland to enable the continuation of training for a number of students who were in a position to fund the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Resolution of the funding difficulties in the Irish airlines superannuation scheme, where there is a deficit of more than €760 million, 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 many years as the companies and the members did not put...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The expert panel's report is the best chance we have to resolve this long-standing problem. I am concerned that it may be the last chance, because if the Pensions Authority winds up the pension scheme, current pensioners may be protected but the deferred pensioners and active members of the scheme may lose almost everything, which would be a disaster. We have an opportunity to grasp the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have discussed some matters with Ryanair in the past week or two but I have not discussed this issue. It has made its position very clear. That may change but its position as of now is that it will oppose it. It thinks that the contribution being asked of the company and, indirectly, of the shareholders is too great. The Deputy will be aware that a vote took place some weeks ago on the...