Results 31,861-31,880 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Issues (18 Apr 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.  The planning, design and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Adviser Pay (18 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 together. The details of the special advisors in my Department and their pay in 2012 and 2013 is set out in the table below: Name Position Salary in 2012 Salary in 2013 Brian Murphy Special Advisor € 105,837 € 105,837 Nick Miller Press Advisor € 83,337 € 86,604 Total - €189,174 € 192,441...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Bodies (18 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: On 31st December 2012, the assets and business of Shannon Airport were transferred from the Dublin Airport Authority to the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) to allow for the future merger of SAA with a restructured Shannon Development.  It is planned to form a new integrated Shannon entity in public ownership at which point SAA will cease to exist as will Shannon...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (17 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I have not had any discussions with Fáilte Ireland in relation to the company. The golf club in question is a limited company and the management of its staff and resources is an operational matter for the company and its directors.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Airports (17 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I can confirm that the Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) Study Group has been established and that the first meeting of the Group has recently taken place. The Group is chaired by Deputy John O'Mahony and its membership comprises representatives of Knock Airport , Mayo County Council, the local Business and Tourism sectors and the Departments of Transport, Tourism &...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (17 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I can advise that the tourism functions and associated staff of the Shannon Free Airport Development Company (SFADCo) are in the process of being transferred to Fáilte Ireland.  In keeping with this transfer of functions, the management of the Tourism Information Offices in the region will become an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and I have referred the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Applications (17 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As of the start of this year, I introduced a new fee structure for driving licences and learner permits.  I did this in the context of the transition to a centralised driver licensing system under the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and to a plastic card format driving licence, as well as in light of the fact that the fees had remained unchanged since 2001.    I did this in the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sport and Recreational Development (17 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. The Council has responsibility for the recognition, for purposes of funding or for any other reason, of any sporting or recreational activity, including dealing with sporting organisations and allocation of funding to...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Safety Issues (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputies Harris and Doyle for raising this issue, which I know is of great concern to the people of Wicklow. The House will by now be familiar with the preamble to debates concerning our national roads network and any plans regarding their future development, but here it is again. I am not passing the buck here but am simply explaining the legal position. As Minister for Transport,...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Safety Issues (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. Investigations are under way and will be completed shortly. Once we know what the problem is, the matter can be dealt with and whatever necessary works can be programmed and carried out.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Authority Funding (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1350 and 1351 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: Vehicle Clamping (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: While Section 101B of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, (inserted by Section 9 of the Dublin Transport Authority (Dissolution) Act, 1987) provides for the clamping and/or towing of vehicles illegally parked on a public road or in local authority car parks, there is currently no regulation of clamping companies nor of the activity of clamping on private land. In line with the commitment contained...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Section 7 of the Road Traffic (No. 2) Act 2011 substitutes section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, provides for mandatory preliminary breath testing at the roadside where injury has been caused following a road traffic collision. It is not discretionary, however a Garda can make decision not to carry out a breath test where it could be injurious to the drivers health or if the drivers is...

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

Leo Varadkar: Responsibility for driver licensing has recently transferred from local authorities to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), with the introduction of the plastic card licence in January. The system will operate through three outsourced contracts that the RSA has awarded. While the plastic card production facility is already in operation, the companies involved in providing back office processing...

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

Leo Varadkar: Since March 2011 the Government has implemented a range of measures to support the tourism industry. VAT has been reduced to 9% on accommodation, restaurant and other services and this lower rate of VAT continues in 2013.  The Visa Waiver Scheme is encouraging visitors from emerging markets to add Ireland to their trip when they are...

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

Leo Varadkar: I have no funding available to my Department for a programme such as that suggested by the Deputy.  I should also point out that both the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) and Fáilte Ireland estimate that there is currently excess capacity in hotel accommodation in Ireland.    I should also point out that both the Irish Hotels Federation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Organisations (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the High Performance programme. The Council also has responsibility for initiating research concerning sport.   The Council also has responsibility for initiating research concerning sport....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Issues (16 Apr 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.  The planning, design and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Issues (16 Apr 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.  The planning, design and...