Results 29,321-29,340 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: The first report of the Criminal Justice Working Group, established following the publication of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate report into the Fixed Charge Processing System, will be submitted to Government in July and the progress made to date towards resolving the technical and administrative issues to allow for commencement of Section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 will form...

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

Leo Varadkar: Following on from the public consultation process over the last year, a draft National Aviation Policy for Ireland was published on 21 May 2014 and is available on my Department’s website. The consultation process covered all elements of aviation policy and the draft National Aviation Policy takes account of the submissions received. Stakeholders now have an opportunity to...

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

Leo Varadkar: Working closely with Fáilte Ireland which supported local communities and other stakeholders in creating the many gatherings and events around the country, the Gathering Ireland 2013 was also a major focus of Tourism Ireland’s overseas promotions throughout 2012 and 2013. In this regard, the agency engaged with the Irish diaspora worldwide and undertook an increased...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Tourism Policy Review commenced in September 2013 when Minister Ring and I launched a consultation document, raising a series of questions regarding policy priorities, and inviting comments and responses from tourism industry stakeholders.  Over 170 submissions were received in response to the consultation document, from a wide variety of interested parties. Reflecting the...

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

Leo Varadkar: The most recent CSO figures for overseas visits to Ireland show that visitor numbers grew by 7.5% in the period from February to April 2014 when compared to the corresponding period of 2013. Since the Government came to office, the annual total number of international visitors coming to Ireland has increased by more than a million and is almost certain to exceed 7 million...

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

Leo Varadkar: Around 95% of the capital allocation in my Department's Vote relates to infrastructural investment in land transport, mainly in roads and public transport. A key element of this expenditure relates to the maintenance of existing assets. Apart from the land transport programme, capital funding is directed mainly towards Sports and Tourism programmes which are...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Department was represented on and provided secretarial support to the IWA Knock Study Group which reported in December 2013. The recommendations of the Study Group were fed into the Regional Airports Programme 2015 to 2019 which is currently being finalised in my Department and Ireland's Aviation Policy, which has been circulated in...

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

Leo Varadkar: In October 2013, as part of a suite of measures to deal with alcohol misuse, the Government decided to establish a working group to consider the impact of regulating alcohol sponsorship of major sporting events by alcohol companies. This group is due to report to Government by October of this year.  The working group is chaired by the Department...

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

Leo Varadkar: I take it that the Deputy is referring to incidents of anti-social behaviour and other problems on the streets of Dublin city centre, which are matters for the Minister for Justice and Equality, given her responsibility for policing.In my capacity as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I am aware of the negative impact such incidents can have on visitors’ holiday...

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

Leo Varadkar: While my Department provides capital funding for investment in tourism attractions through Fáilte Ireland, neither my Department nor I are directly 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...

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...