Results 32,621-32,640 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 118 together. I recognise the important role of the haulage sector in the transport of goods and the difficulties it is facing in the current economic climate.  I and my officials meet regularly with the sector's representative organisations. One of the main concerns of the sector is fuel prices, and the sector has been interacting with my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 133, 751 and 752 together. These questions relate to support for the hotel and catering sectors.  I am in regular contact with representatives of the hotel and catering sectors and am kept advised of issues of concern to the industry.   The Government  has already implemented a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Funding (27 Nov 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 to elite athletes. The International Carding Scheme, which provides grant payments directly to high performance athletes, has been a central part of the high performance system in Ireland since...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Costs (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 754 together. I refer the Deputy to the answer to Dáil Questions Nos. 14, 248, 250 and 251 on 18 October 2012. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Drug driving is a matter of great concern particularly as evidence suggests a growing prevalence of people driving under the influence of drugs in Ireland.  In order to get a better understanding of the problem and the options available to tackle it, I recently asked the Medical Bureau of Road Safety to undertake a study on roadside drug testing and related...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Semi-State Sector Remuneration (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In imposing the €250,000 pay ceiling, the Government decision at the time made it clear exceptions might be necessary in a small number of cases where the role was of substantial importance and a candidate brought exceptional or special expertise or qualifications.  The CEO of the DAA is responsible for managing three international airports which accommodate...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Clamping (27 Nov 2012)

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, my proposals on the shape of appropriate legislation and invited their views....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 144, 145 and 162 together.   As the Deputy will be aware, following the Government decision in principle to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority and merge it in a new entity with a restructured Shannon Development, a Steering Group of senior officials from five key Departments was established to bring forward proposals for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Earlier this year, I announced that a review of speed limits would be undertaken and to that end, my Department established a stakeholder group to progress this work. The Automobile Association, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority, the National Transport Authority and representatives of local authorities accepted my invitation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Museum Projects (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I believe that a sports museum would be an excellent addition to Ireland's sporting and cultural experience and  has the potential to attract widespread public interest. A committee, which is being chaired by Minister of State Michael Ring, has been established to examine the feasibility of developing a Museum of Irish Sport. The first meeting of the committee...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 147 and 156 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pilot Training Colleges (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: On 28 September last the High Court ordered the liquidation of the Pilot Training College Waterford (PTC). I fully understand the frustrations of the students and their families who have lost considerable sums of money to this company and while I have great sympathy for their plight, neither the Government, nor the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), have any liability in this...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Penalty Points System (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The mutual recognition of penalty points between Ireland and Northern Ireland is being dealt with under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).  Initially this work involves the mutual recognition of penalty points in each jurisdiction for the road traffic offences of speeding, drink/drug driving, non-wearing of seatbelts and using a mobile phone while driving. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sport and Recreational Development (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware of the work that is being done by the Homeless street leagues, including the leagues that are operating in the prisons. Sports programmes such as the homeless street leagues can have a  positive impact for those involved and present an excellent opportunity for participants to become involved in sport. I understand that the street leagues are affiliated...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Tests (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The fee for the driving test was last increased shortly before I became Minister.  At that time, the fee for tests in vehicles of category EC1, EC, ED1 or ED, and also C1, C, D1 or D, was raised from €110 to €120, while the fee for all other categories was raised from €75 to €85.  The fee is waived where the application relates to vehicles in categories...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: On 24th July last, the Government decided to provide additional funding of €36 million to CIÉ to ensure that the companies could continue to operate for the rest of 2012. This would bring the total subvention for this year to €278m, higher than the subvention level for 2010 and is the fifth highest level of subvention ever. To date €16 million of the additional...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this particular question, the safety regulation of aviation, and in particular, flight time limitations for flight crews, is the statutory responsibility of the Irish Aviation 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 10...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I refer the Deputy to my replies to his questions 705 of 23rd October and 1210 of 6th November 2012.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Earlier this year, I announced that a review of speed limits would be undertaken and to that end, my Department established a stakeholder group to progress this work. The Automobile Association, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority, the National Transport Authority and representatives of local authorities accepted my invitation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Employment (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: After the VAT reduction was introduced, I wrote to the main representative bodies in the tourism industry emphasising to them the need to ensure that the reduced rate was passed on to consumers.  Since then, I have been in regular contact with sectors within the tourism industry and I have consistently urged them to ensure that the reduced VAT rate is passed on to...