Results 32,441-32,460 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority (20 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) was established on 1st December 2009 in accordance with the Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) Act 2008. In fulfilling its functions under the  Act, the Authority has a broad role in relation to transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Hospitality Industry (20 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together. I am in regular contact with stakeholders in the tourism industry and indeed I met, at their request, with the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) most recently just prior to the Budget and the issues of bank lending and credit as well as the existing hotel debt burden were discussed. The issue of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Costs (20 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Presidency Programme on Transport is very ambitious and will focus on delivering key legislative dossiers as we enter final 18 months of current Commission and European Parliament. There are over 20 dossiers on the table or in the pipeline, some of which will have an impact in driving transport costs down over the longer term - particularly for Ireland as an...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Maintenance (20 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.  The carrying out of works on these roads is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.  Local authorities were allocated over...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sale of Aer Lingus (20 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In relation to the future of the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus a Steering Group has been established to examine the potential options for the disposal of the shareholding and the issues that may need to be addressed in that context.  The Steering Group is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives from the Department of Finance, the Department of Public...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Stations (20 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Cleggan Volunteer Coast Guard Unit, which is designated as a shoreline search unit, is currently operating out of an old Coast Guard station, sometimes called the Rocket House. It is one of a number of Coast Guard Units around the coast operating from Rocket Houses that have been identified for upgrade.   Funds are not available for the Cleggan upgrade in the current...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (19 Dec 2012)

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. Will the Deputy please advise my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (19 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the matter to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy.  Will the Deputy please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (19 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.  I have referred the matter to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Will the Deputy please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Bodies (18 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The National Transport Authority (NTA) was established on 1st December 2009.  In accordance with the Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) Act 2008, the functions of the NTA include securing the provision of public transport infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA. The following is the capital funding allocated  by  the NTA in the GDA since its...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Search and Rescue Service (18 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The current Helicopter Search and Rescue Services contract, which came into operation on the 1st July 2012, will be up for renewal on the 30th June 2022 with a maximum extension date of the 30th June 2025 for all or any of the bases. The contract was signed in July 2010 and sets out the agreed rates applicable for the monthly standing charge, flight charges and ancillary...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (18 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The market for air services in and out of Ireland is highly competitive with a very significant number of airlines operating.  The market for air services within the EU has been liberalised since the early 1990s and the market between the EU and the US was liberalised under the EU-US Open Skies agreement in 2007.  It is not open to me or to other Governments to interfere in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Contracts (18 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Government Departments are required to pay suppliers within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice. In March 2011, the Government agreed to extend this prompt payment rule to other public sector bodies, including the non-commercial State Agencies, from 1 July 2011. My Department publishes the prompt payment returns, and those of the 9 non-commercial agencies under its aegis, on the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (18 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a operational matter for Iarnród Éireann.  I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.  Please inform my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Council Meetings (18 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I  participate at the Transport formation of the Transport, Telecoms and Energy Council. Since March 2011, there have been 7 formal Transport Council meetings and I have attended all of these. Transport Council meets on 20 December and I will attend this along with officials from my Department and the Irish Permanent Representation to the EU. Minister of State Michael...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sale of State Assets (18 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for Córas Iompair Éireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Will the Deputy please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Funding (18 Dec 2012)

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 for the National Governing Bodies of Sport and for the High Performance programme. As the Deputy's question relates to the allocation of funding, I have referred it to the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Funding (18 Dec 2012)

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 for the National Governing Bodies of Sport and for the High Performance programme.  As the Deputy's question relates to the allocation of funding, I have referred it to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Renewals (18 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In May 2011, the Government decided, with the introduction of a plastic card driving licence from 19 January 2013, to centralise the driver licence function. It was also decided that the RSA would become the centralised driver licensing authority. The legislation to provide for the transfer of the function was passed by the Oireachtas earlier this year, and the RSA will officially...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Registration (18 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Unlike other categories of vehicles, light trailers do not require registration or licensing.  I am advised that unilateral introduction of such an approval system by Ireland would constitute a contravention of EU anti-competitiveness legislation in relation to the sale and free movement of such trailers throughout the European Union. I have, therefore, no proposals at...