Results 31,461-31,480 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Semi-State Bodies Dividends (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Government’s position is that all profitable commercial State companies with distributable profits return a financial dividend to the State. The general guideline figure is 30% of after-tax profits. Depending on the financial circumstances of the particular company, the figure adopted may be more or less than this guideline 30% figure.  However, dividend policies will need to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Issues (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Contact with the Northern Ireland Road Authorities in relation to the A5 project is ongoing under the aegis of the North South Ministerial Council.  The next Plenary meeting of the Council is scheduled for the 5th July.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Industrial Relations Issues (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to Dublin Bus and the recent recommendations issued by the Labour Court. In order to ensure the viability of the company, Dublin Bus is seeking to achieve savings from direct payroll costs and from efficiency and productivity savings. Labour Court hearings were held on 15th March and 15th April. The Labour Court has now issued a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Normally, where a driver is involved in a collision (with or without injury resulting from the collision) and fails to remain at the scene of the collision, they can be charged with an offence under Section 106 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.  However, in instances where death or serious injury is caused, the charge preferred is under Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.  I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland 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: Rail Network (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The level of Exchequer funding available for the development of transport infrastructure has been greatly reduced in recent years.  Accordingly, the focus is to protect previous investments and to maximise the efficiency of existing infrastructure.  As this level of funding will not allow for significant investment in new public transport infrastructure, the Government, as set out...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to both companies 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 Toll Operators (27 Jun 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. I have referred the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The development of tourism in a particular region or area such as Glendalough is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.  I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland 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: Marine Safety (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: One of my Ministerial Priorities for 2013 is to implement a Maritime ‘Safety at Sea’ initiative.    Ireland's maritime safety agenda is constantly being developed in line with developments across the maritime sector, including internationally recognised safety conventions, safety standards, codes of practice, and the promotion of a culture of safety...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Station Closures (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Value for Money reviews undertaken last year into the Coast Guard and Marine Surveying functions of my Department identified a number of issues which need to be addressed in Ireland's maritime transport safety and marine emergency response regimes. Among the primary matters addressed by the consultants was the level of resourcing necessary to deliver the broad range of services demanded...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Peace and Reconciliation Programme (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) manages the cross-border European Union Structural Funds Programmes in Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and parts of Western Scotland. The current programmes (2007-2013) are the European Union's Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (otherwise known as the PEACE III Programme) and the European Union's Cross border Programme for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Strategic Infrastructures Fund (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister for Finance recently announced the drafting of a Bill to, inter alia, establish the Ireland Strategic Infrastructures Fund (ISIF). Once established the ISIF will invest in the Irish economy on commercial terms in support of economic activity and employment.  It is difficult to create projects under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Numbers (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 294 together. The scheme of 'Term Time' as referred to by the Deputy, was replaced in 2009 by the Shorter Working Year Scheme.  (Circular 14 of 2009 - Shorter Working Year Scheme superseded Circular 32 of 2006 - Revised Term Time Scheme 2006 .)  The purpose of the shorter working year scheme is to permit civil servants to balance...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Training (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together. The number of staff in my Department who availed of study leave in 2012 was 7.  The average duration of such leave availed of in 2012 was 4.3 days per staff member.  The number of staff in my Department who have availed of or applied to avail of study leave in 2013 to date is 6.  Under...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations Upgrade (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  Matters relating to improvements at individual railway stations are day-to-day operational issues for Iarnród Eireann in the first instance and I have no function in such matters.   Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational matter for the tourism agencies and I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised by the Deputy, the regulation of safety standards at airports, is a matter for the Irish Aviation Authority, an Agency under the remit of my Department.  I have referred the Deputy's question to them 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: Railway Stations Upgrade (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann 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.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my Office if a reply has not been received within ten days.