Results 31,941-31,960 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 30, 53, 57, 66, 315 and 328 together. These Questions relate to roads maintenance. Firstly, under section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads rests very clearly with local authorities.  It is also the case that any works on these roads are a matter for the relevant...

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

Leo Varadkar: I am in the process of appointing a new Chairperson to the Board of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. Befopre the appointment is made, the Chairperson designate will be required to appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications. In the interim, the Board has chosen one of its Directors to act as Chairperson. As the Deputy will be aware, I have previously...

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

Leo Varadkar: EU Directive 2006/126EC requires the introduction by Member States of a plastic card driver licence with effect from 19th January 2013. For this country, this involved a change of the procedures and practices associated with the old paper style licences. With the introduction of the new style licence, the Government decided to centralise the driver licence service under the Road Safety...

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

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to the proposed N25 New Ross Bypass project which is included in the Government's Financial Stimulus package. I understand that the cost benefit analysis to date on this scheme indicates a minimum benefit exceed costs by a ratio of over 3 to 1. This scheme will provide significant economic benefits in terms of journey time savings, emissions savings...

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

Leo Varadkar: EU Directive 2006/126EC requires the introduction by Member States of a plastic card driver licence with effect from 19th January 2013. For this country, this involved a change of the procedures and practices associated with the old paper style licences. With the introduction of the new style licence, the Government decided to centralise the driver licence service under the Road Safety...

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

Leo Varadkar: I am fully supportive of the bid to host the Rugby World Cup in Ireland. It is a matter for the IRFU to prepare and submit a bid. A feasibility study commissioned by the IRFU on the potential for hosting the tournament is being finalised and will be presented to me by the IRFU shortly. I looked forward to receiving it and and considering the findings. The support of other sporting...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Expenditure (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 33 and 59 together. My Department’s role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy.  It is not involved in the administration of tourism-related funding programmes or in support to specific tourism sectors, which are the responsibility of Fáilte Ireland.  Fáilte Ireland administer...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 establishes the National Transport Authority (NTA), incorporating responsibility for transport investment and service delivery in the greater Dublin area, formerly under the remit of the Dublin Transport Authority, with additional nation-wide responsibilties for certain transport services. Specifically the NTA has national...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Anti-Social Behaviour (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for Dublin Bus 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: Ports Development (27 Mar 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I launched the new National Ports Policy yesterday and a copy of the document is now available on my Department's website. The policy was approved by the Government recently. I am confident that this new policy establishes a policy framework which will allow all our ports, large and small, to develop in a sustainable manner which will facilitate imports and exports, employment and...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 64 together.   The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the proposed Luas Cross City Line. Luas Cross City Line has been prioritised in the Government's 5-year capital plan - Infrastructure & Capital...

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

Leo Varadkar: Whilst current funding constraints clearly limit the potential for significant capital investment in transport, it is essential that we remain conscious that the efficient movement of people and goods is central to the functioning of our economy. A transport system that supports and enhances both domestic and export driven growth will be vital in supporting our agenda of renewed and...

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

Leo Varadkar: They relate to a payment to a former board member of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company. As I stated previously on 19 February, the payment of expenses to directors is a matter for the Company in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance for State Bodies. I am advised that the legal proceedings referred to are ongoing. As the Deputy will appreciate, I am not in a position to...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 62, 68 and 80 together. I am pleased that the positive start to The Gathering Ireland 2013 has continued and I am confident that the momentum will be maintained as we approach the peak tourism season. The overall target is to attract at least 325,000 extra overseas visits in 2013 which would generate some...

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

Leo Varadkar: Legislation is developed in accordance with set procedures which take account of all legal and constitutional issues that may arise. Issues contained in international agreements where relevant are considered as part of this process. The procedures for the development and enactment of legislation provide the opportunity for both Senators and Deputies in the Houses of the Oireachtas...

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

Leo Varadkar: While I have not had meetings with interest groups regarding Ireland West - Knock Airport, since coming to office, senior officials of my Department and I have had meetings and engagements with Knock Airport itself on a number of occasions.  Most recently, I met the Board of the Airport, along with the Taoiseach in Mayo on 28 January 2013.  At that meeting,...

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

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy points out, Bantry Harbour is the last remaining harbour operating under the Harbours Act, 1946.The core business of Bantry Bay harbour is the oil storage and transhipment terminal on Whiddy Island. Provision was included in the Harbours (Amendment) Act, 2009 to allow the transfer of Bantry Harbour to the Port of Cork to take place. The Act provides that a public consultation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (27 Mar 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. Once the outcome of the legal...

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

Leo Varadkar: I informed the Deputy in response to Questions on 19 February 2013 that at present I am actively recruiting a Chairperson, and I hope to be in a position to make an appointment shortly. I have undertaken previously that I would ask the new Chairperson to review certain matters relating to the CEO remuneration raised by the Deputy.  The Chairperson...