Results 30,841-30,860 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Transport Authority (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and the overall funding of public transport.  Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructural projects in the greater Dublin area come within the remit of the authority. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Transport Authority (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am not familiar with the exact details of this issue or the bridge in question, but I will put the Deputy's proposal to the NTA. It is intended to run a green way and a cycling and walking way all along the Royal Canal. I run along the canal from time to time and know it is possible to get from Clonsilla as far as one of the bridges in the Sheriff Street and Seán MacDermott street...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Transport Authority (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It would be nice to be able to get all the way into town or to the sea. I am not familiar with the details of the bridge, but I will ask the NTA to see whether it would be appropriate to include it in the study. As the Deputy noted, a large number of agencies are involved, which sometimes makes it difficult to get things done. That is not an excuse but perhaps a comment.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport Fares (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. My apologies to the House for being a little bit late. I was stuck in traffic in Blanchardstown this morning. I do not set public transport fares. Just as in the telecommunications and energy sectors, it is the responsibility of the regulator - in this case, the National Transport Authority - to adjudicate on applications from...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport Fares (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It is always important to remember that public transport remains heavily subsidised, with the exception of Luas and the private bus services. While someone who cycles, walks or uses the car to get to work pays the full cost, people who use public transport are subsidised by the State. It is important to bear that in mind. If people had to bear the full cost, fares would be much higher than...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Programme Expenditure (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar:  As part of the €200m Stimulus Package announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform in Budget 2014 additional capital funding is being allocated to my Department’s Vote. I hope that an announcement can be made before the end of the year in relation to a new round of the Sports Capital Programme. The Department has not yet been informed...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar:  The difficult economic situation is having an impact on public spending across all sectors of society and spending on sport is no different. The cut in the budget for the Irish Sports Council for 2014 currently stands at €3m. It is hoped that we will be able to alleviate that somewhat through adjustments in the Department's Vote but we will have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Data (7 Nov 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 nine month period between January and September, the number of overseas visits to Ireland increased by 6.4% to over 5.4 million. Visits from North America were up by 14.6%; visits from Mainland Europe were up by...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is funded through a combination of Exchequer and non-Exchequer funding.  The detail of the Estimates for my Department in 2014 are currently being finalised.    In consultation with the RSA, which has significant income and reserves of its own available, I will ensure that the Authority has adequate...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Budget 2014 (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 37 together. This was a very good budget for tourism with the most significant result being the retention of the reduced VAT rate for the tourism sector. This measure has been critical to reviving the fortunes of this sector since its introduction.  This is complemented by the reduction of the air travel tax to zero - the impact...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax Collection (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: There are no plans at present to introduce a pay-as-you-go road user charge for HGVs in Ireland.    As the Deputy will appreciate, such a decision would have cross-Governmental implications and could only be taken after extensive consideration. However, the National Roads Authority has carried out preliminary work on the issue of HGV road charging. This work includes...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Statistics (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: After a record low in the number of road deaths in 2012 and a year-on-year reduction in each of the previous seven years, it appears as if there will be an increase in the number of road fatalities this year and this is of great concern to me.  I am aware that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Gardaí meet regularly to discuss the causes of road accidents and the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Subsidies (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 53 together. In relation to the question as to the rationale behind the reduction in the level of subvention to Dublin Bus, the answer to that can be found in the state's overall financial position and the significant cuts to public expenditure that have been required as a result. The Government attaches great importance to the continued...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (7 Nov 2013)

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. Noting the above position, I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The reduction of the air travel tax to zero from next April is a clear indication of the Government's major support for Irish tourism and air travel generally. In terms of the marketing of any new routes, this is primarily a matter for the airlines themselves.  Tourism Ireland, as the agency responsible for the overseas promotion of Ireland as a tourist...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (7 Nov 2013)

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. Noting the above position, I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: My Department maintains regular contact with its counterparts in Northern Ireland and will continue to liaise with a view to assessing the scope for drawdown of funding for road projects under the TEN-T Regulation. I would have to note, however, that any funding contribution from TEN-T would be quite limited with the bulk of the funding needing to come from the Exchequer. This does...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: The Gathering Initiatives (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Gathering Ireland 2013 aimed primarily to generate additional tourist numbers and revenue in 2013.  However, it also aimed to have a longer-term impact.  We set a target of 325,000 visitors and we are well on the way to meeting that. But The Gathering was never just about visitor numbers and revenues.  It is also about community pride and strengthening links with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Travel Tax (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The zero rate travel tax initiative is part of a process aimed at generating new airline routes into Ireland and will come into effect from April 2014. There has been a positive response to the initiative from airlines so far with Ryanair and Aer Lingus Regional both announcing details of new routes and increased services from Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Knock. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Issues (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: 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 and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. ...