Results 30,881-30,900 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: One of the principal recommendations of National Ports Policy which will require legislative amendments is the proposed transfer of control of the Ports of Regional Significance to local authority control. In August my Department published a Regulatory Impact Analysis type consultation document regarding these proposed amendments to the Harbours Acts. The consultation period has now...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services Provision (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Cork and Dublin Airports are owned and managed by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), operating under a commercial mandate.  As such, the business of working to increase passenger numbers at Cork Airport is a matter for DAA and Cork Airport management and it is not something in which I have a direct role.    I should say however, that the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Applications (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA).  I have therefore forwarded this request to the RSA for direct reply, and 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: Job Creation (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I have received a paper from the IHF entitled "Job Creation and Training in the Hospitality Industry" which sets out the IHF's concerns in relation to training and skills in the Irish Hotel sector. I am also aware that the National Skills Bulletin published in June this year noted that Ireland as a whole has an excess labour supply overall with a low magnitude of skills shortages in some...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry Cabotage Regulations (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Provisions in relation to road haulage cabotage are set out in EU Regulation 1072 of 2009, which came into effect on 14 May 2010.  Cabotage refers to haulage for hire or reward within a host Member State carried out on a temporary basis by a non-resident operator.  The EU Regulation defines the specific limitations of cabotage, that is, when goods carried in the course of an inbound...

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

Leo Varadkar: Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum height limit of vehicles in this country at 4.65 metres. The derogation was introduced to allow a five-year period within which vehicles operating at heights in excess of the new limits could be withdrawn from use in Ireland or to allow for the...

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

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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Applications (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The new National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and any queries regarding specific applications should be directed to the Authority.    Under the terms of the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) became the national driver licensing authority as of January...

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

Leo Varadkar: I am in regular contact with Hotel Industry representatives and am well aware of the issues and their concerns in these matters. The Government recognises that SMEs are the lifeblood of the economy and will play a vital role in the recovery of employment growth. One of the key priorities of the Programme for Government is to ensure that an adequate pool of credit is available to fund...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 257 together. My Department and I meet regularly with Aer Lingus and Ryanair, as well as other airlines to discuss matters relating to aviation.   As an island, air transport connectivity is clearly of vital importance to Ireland for both economic and social reasons. There is a healthy competitive market for air services in and out of the...

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

Leo Varadkar: I am in regular contact with the stakeholders in the tourism sector, both individually and through the various representative bodies, and I am kept advised of issues of concern to the industry directly, through my Department and through the tourism agencies.    For example, the Tourism Policy Review was formally launched by Minister Ring and me on the 11th...

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

Leo Varadkar: Both myself and Minister of State Ring have ongoing dialogue with the key sport stakeholders on the strategic issues and challenges facing the sector and on the sport policy priorities and actions required for the future development of sport.    

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Expenditure (7 Nov 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 also a matter for the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry Regulation (7 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.   Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum height limit of vehicles in this country at 4.65 metres. The derogation was introduced to allow a five-year period within which vehicles operating at heights in excess of the new...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ferry Services Provision (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Ireland offers a diverse range of maritime links to and from the State to facilitate trade and tourism providing vital income streams to the Irish economy.  Over 90% of Ireland’s trade moves by sea and there are currently 22 shipping operators providing a mixture of daily to weekly scheduled shipping services from Ireland. This includes 4 companies providing year round...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I refer the Deputy to Minister of State Kelly's reply to the Topical Issue on this matter on Tuesday 22nd October last.  The matter of the reduction of the number of carriages was raised with the Chief Executive of Irish Rail when I met him earlier this week. In some cases, Irish Rail has already responded and re-introduced larger carriages to accommodate...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: The Gathering (6 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: Bus Éireann Staff (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Director fee levels approved by Government for each Agency are available on my Department's website. The Bus Éireann Chairperson and Directors are entitled to a fee payment of €21,600 and €12,600 respectively per annum. However, with effect from 1st June 2013 Bus Éireann's Chairperson and Directors fees were reduced by 20% in line with the recommendations of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Staff (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Board of Directors of Bus Éireann for the past 12 years can be found in their Annual Reports which are available on their website.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Appointments to State Boards (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The details of the appointment of each of the Board members of Bus Éireann are as follows: Board Member Role Appointed by Paul Mallee Chairperson Leo Varadkar Henry Minogue Board Member Leo Varadkar Kieran Fay Board Member Leo Varadkar. Gerard Ryan Board Member Leo Varadkar Aidan Murphy Board Member Leo Varadkar John Moloney Employee Representative Noel Dempsey...