Results 32,461-32,480 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred the question to them for direct reply. 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: Rural Transport (18 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company 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: Air Services (18 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The fall in passenger numbers at Shannon Airport in the period in question has been attributed to the general economic decline, which has of course affected all airports to various degrees, and to the substantial withdrawal of air services from the airport by a major airline. The State provides no Exchequer support to Shannon or the other two State Airports at Dublin and Cork.

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

Leo Varadkar: Funding for tourism product development is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. If the Deputy does not receive a reply from Fáilte Ireland within ten working days, will he please contact my private office.

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

Leo Varadkar: Any vehicle to be authorised under a Road Haulage Operator’s Licence needs to have all vehicle documentation in order, including motor tax, insurance, tachograph calibration, and certificate of roadworthiness. Certificates of roadworthiness are issued by the relevant Local Authority, which is also responsible for authorising the test centres that carry out roadworthiness tests.

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

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy is aware, the Government has decided to proceed with the separation of Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) on 31st December 2012 and to merge the airport with a restructured Shannon Development to form a new integrated Shannon entity in public in public ownership (‘Newco’). Business plans were prepared and submitted both to myself and to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Expenditure Programme (13 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016 Medium Term Exchequer Framework set out a gross capital allocation of €17 billion of which my Department has an allocation of €4.6 billion.  The 2012 allocation of €1,231 million for my Department was subsequently increased in the Revised Estimate for 2012 to €1,245 million.  Following a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (12 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 to 255, inclusive, together. The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions 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: Public Transport (12 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to PQ 54943/12 on 06 December 2012, the only funding approved for Public Transport projects under the BMW Regional Authority Operational Programme (2007 – 2013) was in respect of the Elimination of Speed Restrictions at Portarlington. Similarly, the only funding approved for Public Transport projects under the Trans European Network-Transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (12 Dec 2012)

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. Within its allocated budget,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (12 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department does not have passenger data for private sector companies. Passenger data for Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Luas for the years 2009 to 2011 are contained in the published Annual Reports for the companies concerned.  I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply in relation to passenger data for 2012 to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Tolls (12 Dec 2012)

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 implementation of individual national road schemes, including toll roads, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA). In particular, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (12 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Bus Eireann and any other public or private transport service licensed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to operate in the areas referred to by the Deputy.  I have forwarded the Deputy's question to both Bus Eireann and the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Remuneration (12 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: There are no temporary promotions or acting up allowances as part of the staffing arrangements for the 2013 EU Presidency in my Department.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Finally, to echo the words of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, the Government is doing the things it is doing not because they are easy but because they are hard. The Deputies in this House who support the Government do so not because it is easy but because it is hard. Often it is very hard to do the right thing.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Employment in the private sector is increasing. As stated by the Minister, Deputy Howlin, we now have growth as measured by GDP. Believe it or not - one would not believe it if one spent too much time reading the newspapers and listening to the media and I say that as a statement of fact rather than a criticism of the media - retail sales have increased for four months in a row, which has...

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: It is also important because it has allowed us to become a credible exporter again. Exports have not only recovered to where they were prior to the recession. We are now exporting more than we did before the recession began. That is not to diminish the difficulties which people are facing. When it comes to motions tabled by Sinn Féin Members on this side of the House often, and for...

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: It may well be £700 per annum for the average house. The sum of £700 is equal to about €900.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: That fee includes nothing else beyond bin charges. In the Republic of Ireland the property tax on the average house will be approximately €300 to €400 per annum.

Confidence in the Government: Motion [Private Members] (11 Dec 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I do know my facts.