Results 29,341-29,360 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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...

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...

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.

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]: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I did not say that.

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...

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...