Results 32,861-32,880 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Diaspora Centre Establishment (18 Oct 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 64 together. There is significant potential for Irish tourism in the development of an appropriate centre focusing on the Irish diaspora. The Government’s Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework 2012-2016, published in November 2011, includes a commitment of support for a Diaspora Centre or Diaspora Museum should a suitable project...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Development (18 Oct 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Rosslare Europort is an important part of our commercial port network and the fourth largest port in the State in terms of total tonnage handled. In addition to its importance as a commercial freight port, it also serves as the State's second biggest passenger port after Dublin. Clearly therefore the port has functions of a national significance in terms of trade...

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

Leo Varadkar: The current financial and economic crisis is having a major impact on public spending across all sectors of society and spending on sport is no different. Several European countries have measured the economic importance of sport but each country adopted different definitions of sport, and used different methodologies, and consequently the results were non-comparable. However, there...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbour Authorities (18 Oct 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have previously responded to questions from the deputy on this matter, on 12 January 2012 and on 14 December and 29 September 2011. The Deputy is aware that the Company arranged for an external audit of various allegations published in the national press, including that of alleged overpayment of expenses, and that this review found those allegations were false. A...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (18 Oct 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The process has begun of introducing a Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) for Ireland, which is a stepped approach to driver learning which focuses on the acquisition of skills and experience rather than simply passing a test.  There are nine components to this System, including for example compulsory lessons for learners, lower blood alcohol limits, and a new category of...

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

Leo Varadkar: Responsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing Leap Card system in the Greater Dublin Area became a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 30th September 2010. Noting this, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a...

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

Leo Varadkar: I am acutely aware of the importance of the tourism and hospitality sector in providing job opportunities across the country for our young people.  The measures put in place to support tourism in last year's Jobs Initiative and the Government's Action Plan for Jobs 2012 helped to contribute to growth of almost 8% in visitor numbers in 2011.  In addition, the CSO Quarterly...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Sector (18 Oct 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The review of national ports policy is currently at a very advanced stage and I expect that it will be completed very shortly. I have previously stated my view that the existing policy requires revision to ensure that all of our ports are provided with an appropriate development framework, reflective of their particular circumstances as well as their current role and future...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (18 Oct 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. Noting the above position, I have...

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

Leo Varadkar: My Department has not applied nor has it plans to apply for funding under the current TENT Programme (2007-2013). Rather its role is not as project promoter for TENT projects per se. It does however disseminate information and encourage agencies and transport stakeholders to apply for funding. All TENT applications are automatically routed through a Government...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (18 Oct 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of landing and overflight facilities at Shannon Airport in respect of aircraft transporting US military personnel and equipment is a long-standing arrangement that has been continuously in place under successive Governments for over 60 years. There are no plans to change this. The majority of US troops transiting Shannon are carried on commercial/civil...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Organisations (18 Oct 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 70 together. I fully support the central aim of the National Substance Misuse Strategy in reducing the level of alcohol consumption and binge drinking in Ireland. However, I also recognise that moderate and responsible alcohol consumption is not harmful and that there is no case for de normalising alcohol consumption it in the way that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sale of Aer Lingus (18 Oct 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's question relates to the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus. As the Deputy is aware the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus is one of the assets included in the State Asset's Disposal Programme.  The Steering Group established to implement the Government Decision on the sale of the shareholding is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Funding (18 Oct 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 National Governing Bodies of Sport. The provision of assistance for the further development of Special Olympics Ireland is a matter for the Irish Sports Council. I have referred the...

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

Leo Varadkar: Timely, reliable tourism statistics are recognised in Government strategies as essential for measuring on-going performance and informing both the operations of the tourism agencies and overarching Government policies and actions.  My officials and I have regular and constructive engagement with the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the tourism agencies in relation to data on tourism...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (18 Oct 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The development of specific sectors of the tourism industry is primarily an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.  For further information, I have referred the Deputy's Question to the agency for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply from the agency within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Roads Authority (18 Oct 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 projects, is a matter for the National Roads Authority in accordance with the Roads Acts 1993-2007. In particular, the statutory power to levy tolls on...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 60 and 68 together. These questions relate to the development of a new civil aviation policy. The primary aim of our aviation policy at present as set out in my Department's Statement of Strategy 2011-2014 is to ensure that the sector supports Ireland's economic and social goals in a safe, competitive, cost-effective and sustainable manner and to...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Government recognises that tourism  is very important to all regions of Ireland. It generates total revenue of the order of €5.5 billion and employs an estimated 180,000, spread throughout the country.  The Government has taken measures to assist the tourism sector generally, including reductions in VAT and employers’ PRSI,  the National...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (18 Oct 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Responsibility for the award of the contract for the operation of Luas rests with the National Transport Authority (NTA). I understand from the NTA that the current contract expires in September 2014 and that it expects to advertise a notice for the 2014 Luas Operations Contact in the Official Journal of the European Union shortly. I have given no instruction or...