Results 31,721-31,740 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Development (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: In March 2013 I published a new National Ports Policy which is available from my Department's website. This document outlines a roadmap for the sector's future development.  With regard to future investment, there is no Exchequer funding available for port infrastructure development. Rather, as is stated in the National Ports Policy, the individual port companies must fund development...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to the tourism agencies for direct reply. Will the Deputy please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Safety at Sea Issues (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: One of my Ministerial Priorities for 2013 is to implement a Maritime 'Safety at Sea' initiative. As part of the on-going work within my Department there is a constant focus on enhancing safety and the promotion of a culture of high safety standards within all sectors of the maritime community. Our Safety at Sea agenda is constantly being developed in line with developments across...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (15 May 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 Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) as well as the development...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: The Gathering Initiatives (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am pleased to report continued good progress on the Gathering Ireland 2013 -  Ireland's biggest ever tourism initiative. The overall target is to attract at least 325,000 extra overseas visits to Ireland in 2013. If this target is achieved, it will generate an additional €170 million in revenue this year, based on historic spending patterns. Recent figures from...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Adventure Centres (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Adventure Activities Standards Authority Act, 2001 made provision for the establishment by the Minister for Marine and Natural Resources of an Adventure Activities Standards Authority, which would have responsibility for the regulation of adventure centres. However, the Act was not commenced and the body was not subsequently put in place. Following detailed consideration of the matter...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The DART Underground has been postponed but will be reviewed in the context of the next capital programme which will cover the period from 2016 onwards. The project still remains a key element of the overall transport integration strategy. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Funding (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The total capital funding allocated by my Department between 2000 and 2012 for the development of the National Sports Campus is €96.2m, including capital funding to Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Ltd (CSID), the body which preceded the NSCDA.  The capital allocation for this year is €7.965m. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (15 May 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.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (15 May 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 contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Employment Rights Issues (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The wider tourism and hospitality industry employs an estimated 185,000 people and it has traditionally provided a range of careers with diverse skills and with varying levels of pay and remuneration. I have no role in setting the level of pay or working conditions in the sector. However, the Government has taken a number of measures to reduce the cost base of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: European legislation that is already in place provides for access to the rail network for the provision of certain services.   Specifically there is access to the network for the provision of rail freight services since 2007 while access for the provision of international rail passenger services is possible since 2010.       The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services Provision (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Aviation Services Division of my Department has line responsibility in my Department for the EU US Open Skies Air Transport Agreement. The Committee meets twice a year but not all Member States attend and Ireland has not attended as part of the EU delegation in recent years. However, Ireland is represented at meetings of the Transport Council's Aviation Working Group where...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Openings (15 May 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 Staff (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for Bus 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: Bus Éireann Staff (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As Chairman of Bus Éireann, Mr Paul Mallee receives a fee of €21,600 per annum. This is the gross amount and is subject to tax and other statutory deductions. The fee payable is in accordance with Government guidelines. The fee payable to Mr Mallee is in respect of his combined role as Chairperson of Bus Éireann and member of the Board...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The material in relation to the legal costs is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days. The breakdown of travel costs requested by the Deputy is not available within my Department. Details of external expenditure by my Department, including on legal matters, are available from the Department's . The 2012 figures are due to be updated shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: My Department and I are in regular contact with the stakeholders in the tourism sector and are kept advised of issues of concern to the industry. Indeed, in recent weeks I have attended the annual conferences of a number of key representative bodies in the sector. The Government's plans to improve overall competitiveness are set out in the Programme for Government.  I have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Job Initiatives (15 May 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 285, 289 and 290 together. I refer the Deputy to Dáil Question Nos: 58,331,324 and 332 of  27 March 2013 and Priority Question No 4. 23305/13 for answer today  which set out the actions which the Government and myself as Minister are taking in relation to the issues raised by the Deputy.  Both I and my Department meet regularly with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Events (15 May 2013)

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