Results 11,041-11,060 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: The most recent statistics for January to October 2013 show hotel capacity unchanged compared to the same period in 2012 but occupancy rates up one percentage point to 64%.  Occupancy rates for other forms of accommodation were lower, with the next highest being guesthouses at 53% in the period January to October 2013. Occupancy rates for hotels are higher in Dublin...

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

Leo Varadkar: Tourism Ireland is the agency responsible for the overseas marketing of the island of Ireland as a tourist destination. In co-operation with Fáilte Ireland, the agency actively promotes Ireland as a venue for business tourism through direct marketing, familiarisation visits for decision makers in the meetings, incentives and conferences sectors, network events and through dedicated...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (26 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 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...

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister knows the post offices.

Topical Issue Debate: Road Improvement Schemes (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy McLellan for the opportunity to address this issue. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of each road authority, in this case Cork County Council, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Improvement Schemes (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In fairness, neither of us is here to score political points. We both appreciate what Cobh and the surrounding areas have to offer in terms of tourism and future investment possibilities. We agree that we would like to see the bridge and road being improved in the coming years. It is frankly a matter of money. The roads budget has been cut back severely, largely in order to protect...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The maintenance and construction of public roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant road authority, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.   A person must have lawful authority or the consent of the relevant road authority in order to carry out works on a public road or any part of a public road such as a footpath. Section...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Measures (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Section 12 of the Road Traffic Act 2014 relates to the taking of a specimen of blood, in hospital, from an incapacitated driver following a road collision in which injury occurred.  It is my intention to commence the relevant section of the Act as soon as possible.   The principal requirement before this section can be implemented is for procedural guidelines to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 599 together. Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test. The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 600 and 601 together.   As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (1 Jul 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. The bulk of the funding is required for rail safety and renewal. However the Plan did include funding for new rail stations at Kishogue, Hansfield,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pilot Training Colleges (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 604 and 617 together. The closure of the English Language Schools gave rise to a number of issues which crossed Departmental remits and a Task Force was established to examine the situation.  On an initiative of the private colleges involved in the task force an offer was made for students to complete their education with the colleges at a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The details supplied with this Question concern certain provisions of the State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014. This Bill includes, in section 34, amendments to existing statutory provisions governing the State airport authorities' superannuation schemes, including the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme.  These amendments are to facilitate...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS), and what the Deputy is asking is largely an operational matter for the RSA.  However, I think it's a good idea and I will ask the RSA to contact the NDLS about it. Obviously any cost implications or contractual changes would have to be considered before any decision was made. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licence Renewals (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: One of the reasons why driver licensing in the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS), which is operated by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), was centralised was to improve ID security.  The NDLS operates according to the SAFE 2 standard of ID verification.  This requires people to present themselves in person once for ID verification and digital image capture.  When this has...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test.  It has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (1 Jul 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: Road Network (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: 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 of works to be funded is also a matter for the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  While the issue of reduced carriages is a matter for Irish Rail in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), I have previously been in contact with both in relation to this issue. I raised public concerns about overcrowding with the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Search and Rescue Service (1 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department, through the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), is responsible for the initiation, control and coordination of maritime emergencies in the Irish territorial waters, harbours and coastline. The Coast Guard carries out this function utilising its own assets and declared resources, and regularly provides assistance to the Gardaí across the country. As the Deputy can appreciate,...