Results 32,381-32,400 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Development Projects (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As I have pointed out on a number of previous occasions, there is no support package in place for Shannon Airport. The Deputy will recall that the Minister for Finance announced in his Budget speech last month that he will be putting in place measures to facilitate the construction of hangars and ancillary facilities that will be key to attracting additional aviation sector...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Trans European Transport Network (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I understand that the Commission's closing date for 2012 calls under the TENT programme is 28th February 2013. I am hopeful that projects will be submitted by Irish project promoters in the transport sector for consideration by the Commission in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Funding (16 Jan 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 allocation of funding to the National Governing Bodies of Sport. The allocation of funding to the National Governing Bodies for 2013, including funding for Special Olympics Ireland, will be announced in the next few...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: EU Directive 2009/40/EC requires cars to undergo a roadworthiness test when they are four years old and every two years thereafter.  However, Member States are permitted to test more frequently and an annual NCT for cars 10 years and older commenced in Ireland with effect from 1 June 2011. Current EU legislation does not provide for a deferment of the due date for mandatory...

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

Leo Varadkar: It has been the practice for some time for the National Vehicle Driver File of my Department to notify drivers, some four to six weeks in advance, of the pending expiry of their driver licences. The linkage of driver licences with motor insurance policy is a non-statutory matter. Motor insurance is an agreement between drivers and insurance companies, and the holding of the ...

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

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, which has a team dedicated to business and conference tourism that provides support to those seeking to bring international conferences to Ireland.  Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply.  I ask him to contact my private office if a reply is not received...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I refer the Deputy to my response to his Question No. 1213 of 6 November 2012.  The position remains unchanged. The cost of running the National Transport Authority (NTA) is an operational matter for the Authority. As previously advised, I have referred the Deputy's question to it for direct reply.  As also advised, my Department's 2012 expenditure...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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. On the above basis, and as the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Improvements Scheme (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Local Improvements Scheme, which provides funding for non-public roads and the maintenance and improvement of these roads, is in the first instance a matter for the relevant landowner.  Given that the priority in using scarce resources in the current difficult economic climate is to maintain public roads, it was not possible to assist with any works on non-public roads and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: The Gathering Events (16 Jan 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. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Project Contracts (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Under the 2007 – 2013 Border Midlands and Western Regional Authority (BMW) Operational Programme of the European Regional Development Fund, only two road projects qualified for funding.  These are the M6 Athlone-Ballinasloe motorway and N52 Tullamore Bypass.  As the funding for these projects was channelled through the NRA, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, 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. Local authorities have been provided with a number of best practice documents and are required to apply these guidelines when carrying out works on regional and local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Private Clamping Sector (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to regulate the vehicle clamping industry, I presented a discussion document to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht in which I outlined the principal issues to be addressed in regulating the industry and my proposals on the shape of appropriate legislation and I invited their views....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Action Plan for Jobs (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Three quarterly progress reports on the Action Plan for Jobs were published during 2012 and are available on the website of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.  The fourth progress report will be published shortly after it has been considered by the Government.  The Government has also commenced the preparation of the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs, which will set...

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

Leo Varadkar: While the form of driver licence will change from paper to plastic with effect from 19 January 2013, licence-holders will not be allowed to exchange the old for the new, at least for the foreseeable future. The transition in 2013 is not only from a paper to a plastic licence, but also from a system where licences are issued by the local authorities to a system in which the Road Safety...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  Matters relating to improvements at individual railway stations are day-to-day operational issues for Iarnród Eireann in the first instance and I have no function in such matters. In the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), funding for Public Transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Signage (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Development (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The development of land held by Government Departments, State agencies or local authorities is a matter for the bodies concerned.  Regional tourism development is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question on tourism development in Longford and Westmeath to the agency for direct reply. I ask him to advise my private...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The allocation of the additional subvention of €36 million in 2012 to the CIE companies is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have referred the matter to the NTA for direct reply.  I ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Industrial Disputes (16 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Industrial relations issues at Bus Éireann are the responsibility of the company.  I understand that following discussions at the Labour Relation Commission on Friday, 11 January, matters have been referred to the Labour Court.  I want to record my thanks to the Labour Relations Commission and Labour Court for their work on this matter.