Results 31,321-31,340 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (17 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue of bus stop improvement is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport provider and I have referred the Deputy's question 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 Improvement Schemes (17 Jul 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...

Topical Issue Debate: Pension Provisions (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: At the outset I should make it clear that as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have no function in relation to this matter, and for that reason there is little I can say. The resolution of the funding difficulties in the Irish airlines (general employees) superannuation scheme, IASS, is primarily a matter for the trustees, the members of the scheme, the companies participating in...

Topical Issue Debate: Pension Provisions (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I noticed in Deputy Dooley’s original comments that he said he agreed with the position of the Pensions Board that the solution put forward by the Labour Court was not acceptable. That will come as a surprise to many of the workers in Aer Lingus, the DAA and some of the pensioners, many of whom share my view that the recommendations made by the Labour Court would have resulted in a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Maintenance (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Details of the 2013 regional and local road grant allocations are outlined in the 2013 grant allocations booklet for regional and local roads which is available in the Dáil Library.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Subsidies (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The cost of public transport to the State for the period in terms of Public Service Obligation payments and capital funding is set out in the Table below. This does not include funding such as the Free Travel Pass scheme which is provided by another Department, in this case the Department of Social Protection. Year PSO Payment (€'000) Capital Spend (€'000)...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cross-Border Projects (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1160 and 1203 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: Public Transport Subsidies (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The amount of Exchequer, including both Public Service Obligation (PSO) and capital funding, for public transport in the years 2008 to 2012 is set out in the Table below: Year PSO Payment (€'000) Capital Spend (€'000) 2008 308,627 890,288 2009 303,188 633,236 2010 275,858 614,343 2011 265,141 377,210 2012 278,060* 254,232   * The 2012 total reflects...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1163 and 1164 together. The Port of Cork is a member of Cruise Ireland, a marketing co-operative formed in 1994 to promote the island of Ireland as a premier cruise destination. Fáilte Ireland works closely with Cruise Ireland and has provided funding to them to promote the sector. The Port of Cork has  enjoyed a steady increase in the number of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Projects Funding (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1165 and 1166 together. My Department's role in relation to tourism relates primarily to the area of national policy. The Department does not routinely collect information on the economic benefits of convention centres and concert venues. The National Conference Centre, known as Convention Centre Dublin, was developed under a public private...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Semi-State Bodies Dividends (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Whilst the Irish Aviation Authority has expressed an interest in this share sale process, no specific purchase proposal has been developed  and presented to my Department. In the event that such a proposal emerges, it will be carefully examined and evaluated and a decision taken as soon as possible. In relation to dividends, the company declared and paid...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Under the provisions of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993, one of the IAA's principal objects empowers  it to decide, as it sees fit, the extent to which it should operate and manage terminal navigation services at any of the three State airports, including Cork Airport.  Accordingly I have no statutory function  in relation to this...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, the assets, business and employees of Shannon airport transferred from the Dublin Airport Authority to the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) on 31st December last following approval by both Houses of the Oireachtas of the ‘Shannon appointed day’ Order (S.I No. 571 of 2012). The State Airports Act 2004 provided the statutory basis for the separation of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The EU Single European Sky initiative was initially launched in 2004 and updated in 2009 with the overall aim of improving the efficiency of the way in which airspace across Europe is organised and managed. The latest Commission proposals are designed to improve the implementation of the existing legislation from 2004 and 2009 through certain reforms in institutional...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Ireland has driver licence exchange relationships with a number of jurisdictions outside the EU.  The basis for any such agreement is a detailed comparison of the two licensing regimes to ensure that they are compatible.  This work is undertaken, on the Irish side, by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Ideally, we prefer to conclude such agreements at a national level so that there...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Calming Measures (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: While my Department is responsible for the general legislation in regard to traffic matters, I do not have a direct role in relation to local traffic management, including the provision of traffic calming measures. The decision whether or not to provide such measures  is a matter for the relevant local authorities concerned and in this instance, in consultation with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at this .

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Regulations (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am satisfied that adequate measures have been taken to ensure compliance with EU transparency regulations regarding Bus Éireann and the company has confirmed that it is committed to adhering to EU transparency regulations that are applicable to the services it provides.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Bodies Board Remuneration (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1178 and 1179 together. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the annual reports and accounts of the individual agencies.  Full details of State board membership and approved fee scales are set out in my Department's .

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jul 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1180 and 1182 together. Details of consultancy and other external expenditure by my Department are published on its website at the following . Reduction of costs across all activities continues to be a major focus of my Department. The measures in place to ensure that purchases of goods and services are made on the most economically...