Results 30,561-30,580 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Facilities (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is right to highlight the importance in ensuring competitive conditions within our ports sector. Last month the Competition Authority published its review of competition in the ports sector. The report is a thorough analysis of competition within the sector and my Department is currently examining it in detail.  The  Competition Authority's report states that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: One of the key action points arising from the National Ports Policy published last March is that control of the five Ports of Regional Significance, including Dún Laoghaire, should transfer from central to local government. The future of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is not as a major freight or transport hub, but rather in maritime tourism, marine leisure and public...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Funding (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 43 and 44 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Marine Accidents (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I became aware of concerns regarding Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons, known as EPIRBs, on 21 November. I sought and received a detailed report from my Department.   Earlier this year, my Department became aware of four defective EPIRBs and these were returned to the manufacturer. At end October, the manufacturer informed my Department that an analysis had shown a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 58 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) between them have statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop the three State Airports and as such engagement with stakeholders is an operational matter for the companies involved.  Policy in relation to the future of Cork airport of was decided by Government in November...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Events (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 40, 42 and 57 together. My Department and Fáilte Ireland have been examining the potential benefits and costs that would be associated with supporting the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) in submitting a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023.  I recently brought a Memorandum for the Information of the Government to the Cabinet on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Safety (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The recent crash of a police helicopter in Scotland was a very tragic event and I want to extend my sympathies to the families of those involved.  The mandatory installation or otherwise, of flight recorders and other equipment on aircraft, including helicopters, is a matter for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) on the basis that  the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Clamping (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment “to legislate to regulate the vehicle clamping industry”. Therefore, in late 2011 I asked the Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and Gaeltacht to take a role in the pre - Heads of Bill stage and to contribute to the initial drafting of legislation. The Committee carried out a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Data (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Figures published by the Central Statistics Office show that Irish tourism is enjoying a very good year and all of our main overseas markets are showing growth. For the ten month period between January and October, the number of overseas visits to Ireland increased by 7.3% to over 6 million. Visits from North America were up 14.6%; visits from Mainland Europe were up...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbour Authorities Staff (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Within the State commercial ports sector, the establishment and operation of superannuation schemes for employees is a matter for the company concerned subject to sections 40 and 41 of the Harbours Act 1996.   Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company operates a defined benefit superannuation scheme that is now closed to new members. As with any other scheme, the Dún Laoghaire...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Organisations (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: There are no directly electable positions on the Irish Sports Council (ISC). In accordance with the Irish Sports Council Act 1999, all members of the Council are appointed by the Minister.   The Programme for Government contains a commitment to elect a number of positions on the Irish Sports Council's Board. It was envisaged that the sporting national governing bodies...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Organisations (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: In order to sustain the development of sport it is important that sporting organisations can secure alternative sources of investment, including philanthropic donations.  I believe that there is potential for philanthropy and charitable giving for areas of sport such as programme development and high performance.     I have had discussions...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Tolls (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Following consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, it was agreed that we would establish a working group to look at the feasibility of introducing a road charging regime for HGVs in Ireland in the medium term. Obviously the introduction of any such regime raises a number of issues and will require the input from a wide variety of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Bodies Mergers (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The proposal to amalgamate the NRA and RPA is consistent with Government plans for Public Sector reform and, in particular, its programme for rationalisation of State Agencies.   It is envisaged that the value created by RPA, in terms of organisation and specialist project management skills, will be combinted with the NRA, in a new agency Transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Maintenance (19 Dec 2013)

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 a matter for the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware of the difficulties being experienced at present in relation to the driver licences. I have met with the interim Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) who, since the end of October,  have taken over full responsibility for the operation of the national driver licensing service. I am assured that measures have been taken to deal with the difficulties and that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Physical Education (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: There has been improved coordination and partnership between Government Departments in the area of sport and physical activity in recent years.  One of the commitments in Healthy Ireland - the Government Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025, is to develop a plan to promote increased physical activity levels across the population.  A cross-sectoral working...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum vehicle height limit at 4.65 metres. Following a public consultation undertaken prior to the completion of the Regulations, it was agreed that a five year derogation from that limit would apply to vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pilot Training Colleges (19 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Pilot Training College Waterford (PTC) was a privately owned and operated flight training organisation  that  reneged on its contractual obligations and failed its students. On 28 September 2012 the High Court ordered the liquidation of PTC.  Neither the IAA nor the taxpayer are liable for the failure of this private sector company.   The IAA's...