Results 31,921-31,940 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question. I visited the Moore Street site about a year ago and I certainly believe the O'Connell Street and Moore Street sites, taken together, have real potential for tourism and also for our own history and heritage. I have discussed this matter with the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, and, ultimately, it will be his recommendation that the Cabinet...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I take on board the Deputy's views. As she knows, there are a number of proposals for the site. There is a proposal led by the developer and supported by some of the families, and there is an alternative proposal. I know the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, is examining those and I am sure he will make a decision in due course.

Other Questions: Public Transport (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Accessible and attractive public transport systems are essential to attract potential passengers out of their cars and to reduce congestion in our cities, towns and villages. Significant investment has been made in the country's public transport network in the last decade. As I am sure every Deputy agrees, we have modern bus, tram and train fleets. While we are not in a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bus Services (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to the structure of the public service obligation bus market. The programme for Government contains a commitment "to establish a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Infrastructure to explore the benefits to the public transport passenger of a more diverse bus service provision".  In line with this commitment, the National Transport Authority conducted a non-statutory public...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Bus Services (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It is absolutely the case that international experience is mixed. The very good report produced by the Competition Authority gives an overview of where this has worked well, where it has not and the reasons for that success or lack thereof. The report gives us a good idea of how this can be done in the right way. The subvention paid to public transport is relatively low. It is important...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: With regard to the figure of €42 million, that is not additional money but money already allocated. Local authorities have more flexibility in how they can use it. They have a right to use it in a discretionary way. They requested this discretion in order that they could prioritise emergency repairs over restoration works. I have also allocated an extra €2.7 million,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to the conduct of audits and studies on the road network. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in respect of the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am happy to do so. My office does not put in questions on behalf of backbench Deputies, but we tell them when Question Time is coming up and when the deadline is and we invite them to submit their questions on relevant issues, which they do all the time. It is important to bear in mind that everyone in the House is elected and everyone in the House has an equal right to ask questions. As...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I will give Deputy Dooley a straight answer to the straight question he has asked. I am looking at the question paper before me. Of the first ten questions, only two are in the name of Fine Gael Members. It is not until the seventh question that any Fine Gael Member gets an opportunity to ask a question.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Question No. 11 is in the name of a Fianna Fáil Member. Question No. 12 is tabled by a Sinn Féin Member. No. 13 is from a Fianna Fáil Member.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Generally, only the first 20 get covered.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The largest party in the House has perhaps three or four questions out of 20. I have what I believe to be a valid question: why is it that when we have Question Time here Deputy Dooley is the only person from Fianna Fáil who turns up? We have been having Question Time for two years and the only person who turns up from Fianna Fáil is Deputy Dooley. Is it that his party has no one...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: -----and to me that is more than fair.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It may have been the practice in the previous Government that backbenchers did not have a say and were only allowed to speak at private parliamentary party meetings, but this is a different Government and we are serious about Dáil reform.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Maintenance (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It is the case that we encourage backbenchers to take part in Question Time and the Order of Business, as they should.

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 13, 22, 45, 49, 61 and 82 together. These Questions are about tourism promotion. According to CSO figures, there were just over 6.5 million overseas visits to Ireland last year, up slightly on 2011, while spending by overseas visitors was up 4.5% to nearly €3.7 billion. Visits from the higher spending Mainland Europe, North America...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This Question relates to tourism statistics. Reliable tourism statistics are essential for measuring performance and informing both agency operations and overarching Government policies and actions. Clearly, however, neither I nor Fáilte Ireland nor any other agency of this State has direct responsibility for the overall development of the tourism industry for the island of...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 16, 71 and 74 together. These questions relate to the  development of a new aviation policy. The aviation industry is a key enabler of economic growth so it is important that there is a clear policy framework in place to facilitate its continued development and to optimise the contribution that this important sector can make to the Irish economy....

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to answer Question Nos. 15 and 313 together. These questions relate to the structure of the public service obligation (PSO) bus market. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 4 which I answered earlier.  I am aware that the Competition Authority made a submission to the NTA's public consultation process. This report clearly...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Marine Accidents (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 23 together. I propose to answer question 17 and 23 together.  These Questions relate to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. Under Section 8 of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000, the Marine Casualty Investigation Board is established as being independent of the Minister in the performance of its...