Results 31,121-31,140 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This year my Department's Gross Capital allocation is €900m. It is too early at this point to forecast underspend with any precision, particularly as the greater share of capital expenditure tends to occur in the latter part of the year. Capital expenditure to the end of August amounted to €513m. Most of my Department's capital expenditure...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services Provision (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Ireland has a bilateral air transport agreement with China since 1998. The agreement provides the legal framework for scheduled air services between the two countries and under the agreement  it is open to any Irish, EU or Chinese airline to operate services between the two countries. The establishment of such a service, however, has to be market driven and is a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Policy Review (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 143 together. These questions are in relation to the development of a new aviation policy. The aviation industry is a key enabler of economic growth so it is important that there is a clear policy framework in place to facilitate its continued development and to optimise the contribution the sector can make to the Irish economy. Following...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take questions 97,99 and 116 together. I understand that figures published by the Central Statistics Office last week show that Irish tourism is enjoying a very good year and all of our main overseas markets are showing growth. For the eight month period between January and August, the number of overseas visits to Ireland increased by 6.5% to 4.75 million. Visits...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Light Rail Projects Status (1 Oct 2013)

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), such as Luas light rail projects, comes under the remit of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Promotion of road safety awareness is a matter for the Road Safety Authority, and I have therefore forwarded the question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (1 Oct 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Issues (1 Oct 2013)

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, and in accordance with the Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) Act 2008 the Authority may designate any bus stop, bus stand, or bus station in the Greater Dublin...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Arthur's Day Event (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: My Department's role in relation to tourism is primarily concerned with national policy and the State Tourism agencies, under the aegis of the Department, deal with the operation and administration of that policy. In common with thousands of other events taking place in Ireland this year, it is listed on the Discover Ireland websites but the State tourism agencies have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Women's Participation in Sport (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am pleased to say that recent figures provided to me by the Irish Sports Council as part of their interim results from the first six months of data collected for the 2013 Irish Sports Monitor indicate that, for participation levels by gender, it is females that are more likely to have increased their sporting participation compared to 2011 figures. In...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Under the terms of the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the national driver licensing authority as of January of 2013. The RSA designed the new centralised driver licensing system around a central unit within the Authority and three outsourced contracts. The contracts include one for a front office, which engages...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days. Notwithstanding the NTA's statutory responsibilities, the Government recognises the need for the CIÉ companies to respond to the current...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Recent discussions with the management of Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) have taken place through the Study Group, which comprises a broad range of parties interested in the development of the Airport and was established, under the Chairmanship of Deputy John O'Mahony, following a meeting of the Airport Board with the Taoiseach, Minister of State Ring and me. The Group is, inter...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Park and Ride Facilities (1 Oct 2013)

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), such as Luas light rail projects, comes under the remit of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Toll Roads (1 Oct 2013)

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 has no function in the matter.  You may wish to contact Dublin City Council directly on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Strategy (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 138 together. A draft National Sports Facilities Strategy was published as a discussion document on my Department’s website last year.  The draft strategy is being incorporated into a broader policy document for Irish sport taking account of the cross-sectoral nature of sport across a number of Government Departments. In...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Facilities Provision (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: A significant amount of work is taking place at the National Sports Campus at present which will see a number of facilities completed this year.  Work is due to be completed shortly on the development of multi-sport all-weather floodlit pitches.  It is anticipated that these pitches will be open to the public in December.  Work is also under way on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am not aware of any issues relating to public transport access to either sites of interest to tourists in urban areas or to Dublin Airport.  If the Deputy has specific instances of problems with public transport access, I will ensure these concerns are taken up with the operators concerned and-or the National Transport Authority.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Social Welfare Schemes (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Welfare entitlements are a matter for the Minister for Social Protection. This is a matter in which I have no function.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for CIE. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.