Results 32,281-32,300 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Applications (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The driver testing service is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and the issuing of driver licences is now also a matter for the RSA.  I have no role in individual cases.  I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply to the Deputy.  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: Harbour Authorities Expenditure (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 888, 889, 892 and 894 together. Full details of the CEO's remuneration package including pension contributions, director's fees, expenses and allowances are available in the Annual Report and Accounts of the Harbour Company.  As Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is a commercial State Agency, payments to the CEO are not a charge on the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbour Authorities Expenditure (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The payment of expenses to directors is a matter for the Company in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. I understand from the Chief Executive Officer that the matter of the return of moneys mentioned in the Deputy's question is currently the subject of legal action.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbour Authorities Membership (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It has not been possible to retrieve all the data requested by the Deputy in the time available given that responsibility for Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company has rested with a number of Departments since its establishment in 1997. My office will communicate with the Deputy when the information becomes available. In the meantime, some of the information requested by the Deputy in relation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbour Authority Properties (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This is a matter for the Company and one in which I have no function. I understand from the Chief Executive Officer that the Company gave permission for the Board Room to be used for a private function on 27 January. No fee was paid to the Company for the use of the room but a significant donation was made to a local charity.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (5 Feb 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 Government recognises the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016: Medium Term Exchequer Framework sets out the Government's investment policy and priorities between now and 2016. Given the constraints on the capital programme, the extension of heavy rail to Navan, along with a number of other projects, has been deferred for consideration in 2015 in advance of the next Public Capital Programme.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of bus services is an operational matter for the relevant transport provider in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA).  I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA 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: Local Authority Charges (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The setting of parking charges on public roads and in local authority owned car parks is a matter for the relevant local authority and I have no function in this matter.  Nor do I have any function in the setting of parking charges in privately owned car parks. Smarter Travel, A Sustainable Transport Future includes as a recommended action, the consideration of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Anti-Social Behaviour (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for Irish Rail 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: Sports Funding (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Budgets for Government Departments and for State agencies under the aegis of Departments are currently allocated on an annual basis as part of the Estimates and Budget processes. 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 allocation of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Irish driver licensing law operates within the framework of EU law.  The principal Irish regulations governing driver licensing are the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 537 of 2006), which have been amended a number of times since first being introduced, in particular in order to take account of Directive 2006/126/EC on licensing of drivers, and subsequent...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Sector Pension Numbers (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Information in relation to pensions of civil servants that were employed in my Department will be provided by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I have asked the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the Deputy with the information requested. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within 10 working days please advise my private office.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sale of State Assets (5 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for CIE. I have referred the Deputy's question to CIE for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Seanad: The Gathering Ireland 2013: Statements (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: New York city has a bed levy and taxis pay a small levy. The money raised goes into promoting New York, promoting the city, paying for the convention centre and for all of those types of activities. I am not sure if Ireland is ready for a levy yet. The tourism industry is on the floor so it is not ready for it. The principle is good and the same could apply to food and Bord Bia. Those...

Seanad: The Gathering Ireland 2013: Statements (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Senator Quinn mentioned heritage houses and free flights. With regard to the latter, we examined the issue of free flights and had some discussions with the airlines which did not prove successful. Free flights can be arranged to an island but it is trickier for Ireland because there are huge displacement risks. One could end up giving free flights to 80% of the people who would have...

Seanad: The Gathering Ireland 2013: Statements (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Senators for their contributions which were very interesting, stimulating and thought provoking. Senator Ó Murchú pointed out that the diaspora is not just about tourism or St. Patrick's Day and I strongly agree with this. I often feel the Irish abroad unit at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not get enough credit for the work it does. Everyone is very aware...

Seanad: The Gathering Ireland 2013: Statements (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I did not. I do not think I knew him at that stage. It was several years ago. It is a lovely town with a lovely built heritage and great activities. I certainly intend to make a visit in the coming year or so. Senator van Turnhout raised a very important question on the use of the brand and it has crossed my mind. I will follow up on it. I disagree with her in that I do not have any...

Seanad: The Gathering Ireland 2013: Statements (31 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: And Tipperary.