Results 11,021-11,040 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The lifetime of the Government's current capital investment plan runs to 2016 and with the available funding  the priority for heavy rail is to protect the operational network and maintain safety standards, rather than the expansion of the network. Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor (WRC) between Ennis to Athenry opened in March 2010 and final close out payments for this...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Priority Question No. 1 today.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Mountain Rescue Service (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Exemption from VAT is entirely a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and my colleague the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan. I have not made representations to Minister Noonan to have mountain rescue organisations exempted from VAT. In recent exchanges with representatives of the organisations, both my officials and I have advised that it would be more appropriate for them...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Mountain Rescue Service (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I refer to my answer to question 26 earlier.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Mountain Rescue Service (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In terms of supporting mountain rescue teams (MRTs) I refer the Deputy to my answer to question 26 to Deputy Kyne earlier today.   I appreciate greatly the support that volunteer diving teams provide to the Coast Guard and the other emergency services. For the Deputy's information my Department, through the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), is responsible for the initiation, control and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Semi-State Bodies (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for Irish Rail management and their employees and trade unions and has been the subject of lengthy negotiations under the auspices of the Labour Relations Committee (LRC) and the Labour Court.   As you know, Irish Rail is in a precarious financial situation and together with the rest of the CIE Group is dependent on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The direct award contracts for the provision of PSO bus market services held by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann expire later this year. The awarding of subsequent contracts is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). There are no plans to revisit the decision of the NTA to tender the PSO bus services in Waterford.   The purpose of public...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Attractions (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Neither I nor my Department have had contact with the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs regarding the Naomh Eanna. The funding and development of individual tourism attractions is a matter for Fáilte Ireland.  I have asked Fáilte Ireland to advise you of any contacts they have had in regard to this proposed project.  Please advise my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry Regulation (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I established an Interdepartmental group in January 2014 to assess the implications of introducing a ‘pay-as-you-go’ road tax system for Heavy Goods Vehicles, in response to concerns raised by hauliers about the cost of running a haulage operation in Ireland.  This group is examining the technical, regulatory and economic dimensions of introducing a pay-as-you-go charging...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The direct award contracts for the provision of PSO bus market services held by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann expire later this year. The awarding of subsequent contracts is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). There are no plans to revisit the decision of the NTA to tender the PSO bus services in Waterford. The purpose of public transport is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Irish driver licensing legislation operates within the framework of EU legislation.  The principal EU legislation in relation to driver licensing is Directive 126 of 2006.  This sets definitions for the different vehicle categories, requirements of the format of licences, content of tests, and standards for vehicles used in test.  That Directive sets a minimum age of 24 to hold...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Roads Authority Projects (26 Jun 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. Within its capital budget, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations Naming (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail 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 response within ten working days.  I have no strong views on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 to 225, inclusive, together. In accordance with the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 (Public Service Contracts) (Commencement) Order 2013, which came into effect on 1st January 2014, the functions of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to public transport infrastructure have been extended to include securing or providing bus stops, bus shelters,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Wild Atlantic Way Project (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have no direct role in relation to individual tourism projects. The route of the Wild Atlantic Way 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 ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: While my Department provides capital funding for investment in tourism attractions through Fáilte Ireland, neither I not my Department are involved in the development of specific tourist attractions and locations.  The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland, while the development of tourism facilities...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Expenditure (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 229, 230, 241 and 242 together. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, including service areas, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Events (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Last November the Government considered a Memorandum on the discussions and analysis to date on a potential bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023.   While the Memorandum identified a number of challenges, the great potential of the event is also clear and I believe that hosting the Rugby World Cup on a cross-border basis in 2023 would be a great opportunity for Northern Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar:  My contacts with the trade unions on transport policy have been about the direct award contracts for the provision of Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus market services held by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. These contracts expire later this year.  The awarding of subsequent contracts is the statutory responsibility of the National Transport Authority...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (26 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: 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. Figures recently published by the CSO show that for the 3 month period of February-April ‘14, overseas visit numbers grew by 7.5 % compared with the same...