Results 30,241-30,260 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Services (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 838 and 839 together. The issues raised are matters for Dublin Bus and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 840 and 841 together. Figures published recently by the CSO show that 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.  In terms of targets for 2014, the approved Tourism Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (18 Feb 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.  As  part of its...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (18 Feb 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.  The M50 upgrade project,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The planning, design and implementation of individual national 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 and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am in regular contact with hotel industry representatives and am well aware of the issues that concern the sector, indeed, I will be addressing the annual conference of the Irish Hotels Federation next week. One of the key priorities of the Programme for Government is to ensure that an adequate pool of credit is available to fund SMEs, including the tourism industry. In this regard, I am...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Tourism Ireland has set an overall target of growing visitor numbers by a further 4% in 2014 and by 13% more than the 2013 figure by 2016. With the vast majority of these visitors arriving by air, the importance of convenient, direct air access is critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism to Ireland. Tourism Ireland works with the Irish airports to fill strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Employment (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos.  853 and 854 together.  Fáilte Ireland publishes regular statistics on accommodation occupancy levels. These are available under "Accommodation Statistics and Reports" in the "Research" section of their website Since coming into office, the Government has taken key decisions to support tourism. The 9% VAT rate, which was initially a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department and I constantly monitor our national transport facilities to ensure that, given the resources available, they are achieving their greatest potential. An integrated and co-ordinated transport system is an important consideration when it comes to future decisions on transport investment. In making decisions as to future expenditure, my Department has been active to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pilot Training Colleges (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: This question refers to the liquidation of the Pilot Training College (PTC) in 2012.  PTC was a privately-owned and operated flight training organisation  that  reneged on its contractual obligations and failed its students.  Its liquidation is proceeding in accordance with company law that requires a report being made to the Office of the Director of Corporate...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Penalty Points System (13 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The number of drivers who have obtained 12 penalty points in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 and  consequently were disqualified from driving for a period of six months under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act, 2002 are 255, 263 and 242 respectively. As regards drivers who have obtained the maximum number of penalty points but their disqualification from driving is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Obligation Services (13 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 to 291, inclusive, together. The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Toll Operators (13 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The East Link toll bridge was opened in October 1984.  It was built on foot of an agreement between Dublin City Council and NTR and therefore my Department was not a party to the agreement.    Under agreements dated the 16 March 1983 and 24 November 1983, the latter being in consideration for the loss of limited berthage and the disposal of certain lands, Dublin Port...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Visa Waiver Programme (13 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The short-stay visa waiver programme falls within the responsibilities of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.  The programme, which was launched in 2011, allows visitors or business people from selected countries who have lawfully entered the UK, including Northern Ireland, on a valid UK visa, to travel on to Ireland without the requirement to obtain an Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (13 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together. The road mentioned by the Deputy no longer forms part of the N11 but was re-designated as a regional road.    The maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads including...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Provision (13 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Draft regulations to provide for charging points for electric vehicles and for on-street parking spaces for car clubs are currently being finalised by the Office of the Attorney General. These regulations will deliver largely the same outcomes as those envisaged by the Deputy's 2011 Private Members Bill.   It is my intention to sign the regulations as soon as...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Provision (13 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The development of the Sutton to Sandycove, or S2S, route and all other cycling facilities within the Greater Dublin Area is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant local authority,  in this case Dublin City Council.  Accordingly, I have forwarded your request to the NTA and have asked them to reply to you directly. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Initiatives (13 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The NTA has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects. I understand that the NTA is commencing a non-statutory public consultation on 17th February 2014 in relation to the proposals that it is developing in respect of a possible BRT service for Dublin.   This initial...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Initiatives (13 Feb 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) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including  upgrading bus lanes and QBC's under the current capital...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Initiatives (13 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The NTA has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Preparatory planning work is being overseen by the Authority in relation to BRT projects and they have included proposals for three routes in their draft Implementation Plan 2013 -2018 whilst noting that construction is subject to...