Results 31,481-31,500 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: My department does not have any role in the issue raised by the Deputy, namely aviation safety procedures.  This 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: Road Safety Issues (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.   Within its capital...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ferry Operations (27 Jun 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: Tourism Industry Issues (27 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 309 together. I am in regular contact with the stakeholders in the tourism sector and kept advised of issues of concern to the industry. The Government has introduced several measures under the Jobs Initiative to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness, such as reducing VAT to 9% on a range of tourism services and halving...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 310, 311 and 316 together. I refer the Deputy to Dáil Priority Question No 4 of 15th May 2013 and to Dáil Question No's 58, 331, 324 and 332 of 27 March 2013. My position on the issues raised by the Deputy remain unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Maintenance (27 Jun 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 paid by my Department.   My Department is providing over €400 million under the...

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

Leo Varadkar: As I indicated in my response to a similar PQ on 15 May last, my Department's Statement of Strategy sets out the overall policy in relation to aviation, including our airports, in terms of facilitating the optimum structure to ensure a strong network of airports to support Ireland's economic and social goals in a safe, competitive, cost effective and sustainable manner with maximum...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 314, 315 and 317 together. These questions relate to the future development of the aviation sector. 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 country and we benefit from a wide range of air connections, both...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Programmes (26 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Active Travel Towns programme was launched in 2012 to provide funding to local authorities for the development of plans and infrastructure to support walking and cycling in small and medium sized towns outside of the Greater Dublin Area. Two funding calls have been held to date, under which local authorities have competed for available funding. Limerick County Council received a grant...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Revenue (26 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am encouraged by the growth in both overseas visits and revenue to date this year.  The most recent CSO figures for February to April showed a 4% increase in trips to Ireland compared to the same three months in 2012.  Overseas revenue figures (excluding fares) for the first three months of 2013 rose by 12% from 2012 to €541 million. While a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Maintenance Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Firstly I would like to explain that the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.  I announced the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Government's commitment to the A5 project, as outlined at the North South Ministerial Council in November 2011 remains in place. At that NSMC plenary session it was noted that the Irish Government would provide £25 million in 2015 and again in 2016 towards the A5 road project.  This is further to the £22 million that the Irish Government has already contributed to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Water Quality Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I understand that the Blue Flag is an international voluntary eco-label for beaches and marinas that is owned and run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a non-governmental organisation.  The scheme in Ireland is administered by An Taisce. The Blue Flag programme is completely independent and the award of flags is solely a matter for FEE.  Neither I nor my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Issues (26 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. Noting the above position, I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (26 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of bus services and the routes they take are operational matters for Bus Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA).  I have referred the Deputy's question to both the company and the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days. Under the Public Transport Regulation Act...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Firstly I would like to explain that the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Louth County Council and its project partners submitted the Narrow Water Bridge project for Interreg IVA funding and the project was approved for...

Topical Issue Debate: Marine Safety (25 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I share the Deputies' concerns about the shocking loss of life at sea in recent years. They mentioned the Tit Bonhomme, the Pere Charles and the recent tragic events off the coast of Waterford. The current position is not acceptable. I have reviewed all the reports of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board and they make for harrowing reading. Deputy Dessie Ellis mentioned Iceland which...

Topical Issue Debate: Jobseeker's Allowance Payments (25 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I understand where the Deputy is coming from. There used to be an anomaly where Sunday was not counted as a working day and no matter how much one earned on the day, it was not assessed in the means test. The Minister for Social Protection has corrected that anomaly and the effect is that those who were beneficiaries of it in the past and who worked it into their weekly spending had their...

Topical Issue Debate: Marine Safety (25 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The safety of all fishing vessels, with the safety of merchant ships, passenger vessels and leisure craft, is the responsibility of my Department, chiefly through the work of the Marine Survey Office which oversees the survey and certification of vessels in accordance with the relevant international and domestic legislation. All fishing vessels, regardless of size, are required to carry a...

Topical Issue Debate: Jobseeker's Allowance Payments (25 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, who is unavailable. The jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative employment. It is a fundamental qualifying condition for these schemes that a person must be available for full-time work. Under...