Results 29,441-29,460 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: This section is not about the merits and demerits of separating Cork Airport. At a time in the future, when Cork Airport is stronger, when its operating costs match its income and when a solution has been found to the terminal debt, it may well be possible to separate Cork Airport. While this may make sense at that time, it must also make sense in terms of the Dublin Airport Authority's...

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Members discussed this issue at some length previously. The purpose of the text in question is to rename the Dublin Airport Authority as "DAA", because it is not just Dublin, it does not simply pertain to airports and is not an authority. Consequently, the name is inappropriate and I wish to change the name to "DAA" instead of the Dublin Airport Authority. The reason DAA was chosen rather...

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: These simply are consequential amendments relating to the preceding sections and given that Members have not made the previous amendments, there would be no purpose in going ahead with this amendment.

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Amendment No. 2 is a Government amendment. It follows on from the discussion that we had previously in this House. It requires of the Minister, if making a direction to Shannon Airport, that such direction must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas save where there are security concerns. It is an amendment that seeks to facilitate the points made by Senators Barrett and Darragh...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Toll Operators (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together. As the Deputy will be aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have overall responsibility for  policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The implementation of individual national road schemes which provide for tolling, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Development Projects (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop both Dublin and Cork Airports. This include the airport charges applied and the services that are operated from those airports. Policy in relation to the future of Cork Airport was decided by Government in November, 2012. This was at the time of the decision to separate Shannon Airport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Vehicle and Driver File (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Incidents of the nature mentioned in the question are criminal offences and, accordingly, are appropriate to the Garda Síochána for investigation and prosecution if this is warranted. The Garda has full access to the NVDF in the course of their duties. There are provisions under Section 60 of the Finance Act 1993, as amended, and associated regulations (most...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed Legislation (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's Private Members' Bill proposes an amendment to the Immigration Acts, which fall under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality. However, the Bill does have implications for my department in terms of transport and tourism. Given that the Bill was only been published on the 5th of July, I have not yet had the opportunity to consider those implications fully.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Wild Atlantic Way Project (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have no direct role in relation to individual tourism projects including setting the route of the Wild Atlantic Way.  This 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: Departmental Staff Data (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Given the Government wide moratorium on filling staff vacancies, there are currently no vacancies in my Department at Principal Officer grade or above. I have asked the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the Deputy with the information requested. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within 10 working days please advise my private office.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Resolution of the funding difficulties in the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS), where there is a deficit of over €760m, is a matter for the Trustees, the companies participating in the Scheme, the members and the Pensions Authority. The deficit in the scheme has arisen over the years as the companies and the members did not put enough into the scheme to match the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014 which is currently before the Oireachtas includes proposals for amendments to existing statutory provisions governing superannuation schemes in the State airport authorities including amendments to facilitate changes, by the trustees, to the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme.   This Bill is currently at Report...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Insurance Costs (11 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department's role in respect of motor insurance relates to the primary legislation requirement that the use of mechanically propelled vehicles in a public place be covered by insurance. Motor insurance is a private contract between the insurer and the driver and I have no role in the control of motor insurance costs as this is essentially a consumer affairs matter.  I would...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (11 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have no direct role in relation to individual tourism projects. This 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: Driver Licences (11 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Expenditure (11 Jun 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: Sporting Events (11 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (11 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: School Transport Administration (11 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.   Responsibility for the School Transport Scheme lies with my colleague Mr. Ciarán Cannon, T.D, Minister for Training and Skills.  There was an article in the Mail on Sunday on 13th April, 2014 detailing allegations of bribery and corruption in the award of contracts under the School Transport...

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Amendments Nos. 18 to 21, inclusive, are technical adjustments to the provisions of section 44 which deal with amendments to the airport by-laws as set out in the 2004 Act. They do not change the substance of what is already provided. Amendment No. 21 is provided solely for legal clarity. The airport by-laws have always provided that the airport authorities may regulate parking at airports....