Results 29,861-29,880 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 39 and 43 together.   These questions relate to the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS) and to threatened legal action by Aer Lingus against SIPTU in the context of the threatened strike action on March 14th last. I refer the Deputies to my answer to Priority Question No. 1 earlier today which addresses the issues raised.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: This year marked the fifth year of Tourism Ireland's Global Greening initiative, which sees iconic buildings and sites around the world "go green" to celebrate St Patrick's Day.  The initiative is part of Tourism Ireland's annual St Patrick's promotional programme which spans all of our significant overseas tourism markets. For minimal cost, the measure helps raise Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Light Rail Projects Status (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility  for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the Luas Cross City project. The project is progressing well and to agreed timelines.  While all construction projects may give rise to problems from time to time, I understand from the NTA that there...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS), a multi-employer scheme which involves the employees of Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) along with Shannon Airport Authority, Aer Lingus and the now defunct SRT Technics.  I refer the Deputy to my answer to Priority Question No. 1 earlier today which addresses the current difficulties...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Events (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 27 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Programme (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 46 together. The State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014 was circulated to relevant Government Departments on Monday last, 31st March along with a draft Memorandum for Government for any observations by those Departments prior to seeking the Government's approval to publish the Bill. Subject to such approval, I expect that the Bill will be printed...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Administration (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 38, 41, 44, 54 and 58 together.   I was delighted that Minister Ring was able to launch the 2014 round of the Sports Capital Programme earlier this year. €40 million is available for allocation. The application period closed on Monday 10 March. A list of all applications, broken down by county, will be published on the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Funding (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I acknowledge the excellent work that Special Olympics Ireland does in promoting sport and competition for people with intellectual disabilities.  My Department continues to support Special Olympics Ireland and I am pleased to say that in 2014, the Irish Sports Council is providing funding of €1.4m to the organisation through its programme of core grant funding...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Obligation Services (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy is aware, the current Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services Scheme, which includes the Kerry-Dublin route, ends in November this year. In the context of the significance of the PSO route to the airport, just over 10% of all passengers using the airport last year travelled on the Kerry-Dublin route. The policy on regional airports post 2014 is currently being...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Initiatives (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on 1st December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as the proposed routes for the Bus Rapid Transit System...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Organisations (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body responsible for the promotion, development and coordination of sport which includes statutory responsibility for the recognition of sporting organisations as National Governing Bodies of sport, including Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland, and the allocation of funding to same. I have referred...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have no direct role in this matter. However, I understand that in 2014 a particular focus for Fáilte Ireland is to explore the development of a tourism proposition of scale and singularity for the South and East, similar to the Wild Atlantic Way, primarily based on the abundance of cultural and heritage assets in the area - much of which has benefitted...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Policy (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the provision of public and sustainable transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and the regional cities. The NTA provides funding to local authorities for a range of schemes to benefit cyclists, including the provision of infrastructure, and other measures to improve safety for commuters under the Sustainable Transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 248 together. The general approach I have taken to future capital projects is to keep under review projects at various stages of planning and design which have been evaluated and appraised in order to have a pipeline of suitable "shovel ready" projects ready to avail of any funding opportunities that may arise. The projects mentioned are among...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Cycle Network (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Under the latest funding call for the National Cycle Network Programme 2014 to 2016, applications were received from both Laois and Offaly County Councils.  Laois, in partnership with Kildare and Carlow County Councils, submitted an application in respect of the River Barrow Cycling Trail.  Offaly County Council also submitted an application for funding for a feasibility study in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Legislation (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It is long-standing practice to commence sections of Road Traffic Acts only when relevant agencies are in a position to implement or act upon the provisions involved. In respect of the Road Traffic Act 2014, I signed an order commencing, with immediate effect, sections 9, and 14 to 26 on 20th March.  The same order provides that sections 3 to 5, and 7 and 8, will...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (2 Apr 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.   The Gort-Tuam PPP projects...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Employment (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Tourism continues to make a significant contribution to employment in Ireland's economy and the Government has strongly supported employment growth in the sector, in particular through the reduced VAT rate.  The most recently published figures by the CSO show that, seasonally adjusted, employment in Accommodation and Food Services increased by 17,300 or over 14% to 137,100 in the twelve...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 42 and 59 together. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The Government's current capital investment programme runs until 2016 and is necessarily limited by the State's financial circumstances.  The emphasis to date has been on the need to direct...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Policy (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Tourism Policy Review was launched on 11th September 2013 by Minister Ring and me through the publication of an issues paper and request for submissions. 174 submissions were received from a wide variety of interested parties and a detailed analysis of all responses is under way.  In addition to inviting submissions, I decided to carry out a series of workshops...