Results 32,661-32,680 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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: Proposed Legislation (27 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I expect to bring the General Scheme of the Road Traffic Bill to Government in December for approval for formal drafting. Once formal drafting is approved, my Department will engage with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to expedite the process.  It is, as the Deputy will understand, never possible to be certain in advance how long that drafting process will...

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

Leo Varadkar: Targets for overseas visits to Ireland in 2013 will be set in Tourism Ireland’s Business Plan for 2013, which will be agreed at an upcoming meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in accordance with its governance arrangements. Targets at the operational level are matters for the agencies responsible for promoting and developing Irish tourism. 

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

Leo Varadkar: Cost competitiveness is a key consideration for Ireland in attracting tourists and transport is just one of the many factors influencing that competitiveness.  Clearly, transport costs have had an impact on tourism, not just over the past three years but over many decades.  In practice, the main driver is and has always been the cost of oil which is ultimately set by the...

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

Leo Varadkar: Tourism is central to the Government’s strategy for economic recovery and jobs and has been integrated into the broader economic strategic framework.  This overall strategic approach is complemented by the work of the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, assisted by the work of the industry-led Tourism Recovery Taskforce. Key commitments in the 2011...

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

Leo Varadkar: Two task forces entitled the Aviation Business Development Task Force and the Change Management Task Force, respectively were set up on 29 May 2012 to assist the Steering Group that was established to progress issues around the Government’s decision in principle of 8th May to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority and merge it with a restructured Shannon...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Offshore Exploration (22 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The oil exploration site off Dalkey is the subject of an exploration licence awarded by the Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources. The exploration company is required to comply with all the Rules and Procedures of the Petroleum Affairs Division of that Department prior to commencing operations at the site. These provide for the recovery of clean-up costs by individual or...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Coast Guard (22 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The new integrated communications equipment was delivered to Coast Guard stores in Blanchardstown Dublin at the end of 2009.  The installation project consists of six main phases. First phase was to evacuate the existing marine rescue coordination centre (MRCC) in Dublin on foot of an OPW notice that the building would be sold. At the same time the new National Maritime...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (22 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has operational responsibility for approving countries for the recognition and mutual exchange of driving licences, and has been continuing its engagement with the Canadian authorities since I last addressed this matter in response to a Dáil Question of 6 November. Canadian driver licensing laws are made at provincial level, and this means that the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (21 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to both 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: Bus Services (21 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority  (NTA) on 1st December 2009, the implementation of public transport infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area, such as Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI), now comes under the remit of the NTA. In the light of the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (21 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. However, I understand from Dublin Bus that its fleet is currently 96% accessible and by mid-December will be 100% accessible. I have been advised by Bus Éireann that its City Fleet is 100% accessible. All vehicles operating on city services in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Sligo are...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (21 Nov 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.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Semi-State Sector Remuneration (21 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 to 228, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy is a matter for the Semi State bodies themselves. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the various State bodies under my Department's aegis for their response. If the Deputy does not receive a reply from the bodies within ten working days, please advise my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Semi-State Sector Remuneration (20 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 651, 653 and 654 together. The information requested by the Deputy is a matter for the commercial State bodies themselves.  I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the various commercial State bodies under my Department's aegis for their response. If the Deputy does not receive a reply from the bodies within ten working days,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (20 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational one for Tourism Ireland Limited as the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland 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: Road Improvement Schemes (20 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Local Improvements Scheme provided funding for the maintenance and improvement of private roadways which are, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. State grants available to supplement expenditure by local authorities on the maintenance of regional and local roads have been reduced significantly and there will be further cuts over...

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

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. Earlier this year, the National Roads Authority (NRA)...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Obligation Services (20 Nov 2012)

Leo Varadkar: On 24th July the Government approved an increase in the 2012 subvention to CIÉ by €36 million to €278m in order to protect public transport services. To date additional subvention of €16 million has been allocated leaving up to €20 million still available. The allocation of the additional subvention to the CIÉ companies is a matter for the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Toll Operators (20 Nov 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 Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007.  In addition, the statutory power to levy tolls...