Results 32,881-32,900 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is currently preparing the next Road Safety Strategy, covering the period 2013 to 2020.  In preparing the Strategy, the Authority is consulting widely with all relevant stakeholders.  The RSA will liaise closely with my Department during the drafting process and I expect that the Strategy will be finalised in the coming...

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

Leo Varadkar: I have noted the recent publication of the report “Proposals to Restore Financial Sustainability to the Irish Hotel Industry” by the Irish Hotels Federation and I was the closing speaker at the Irish Hotel Investment Conference on Tuesday of this week at which the report was discussed. The conference was a welcome development as it examined a range of mechanisms to...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Road Traffic Bill 2012 is currently being prepared in my Department and I expect to bring the General Scheme of the Bill to Government in the very near future.  Once the General Scheme is approved by Government, it is referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for formal drafting.  It is intended that the Bill will provide for amendments to a number of existing...

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

Leo Varadkar: Ireland has achieved a leading global position in the aviation leasing business sector. Fourteen of the thirty largest lessors globally, including nine of the top ten global operators, are based in Ireland and fifty percent of the world's commercial aircraft fleet is managed from Ireland, representing €83bn in assets. The Government is committed to helping the sector achieve...

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

Leo Varadkar: I understand from the Company's Chief Executive Officer that he is not aware of any such dinner occurring in February 2010. If the Deputy can provide further details on the matter, I will follow up with him.

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. Within its capital budget, the...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Government set out its commitment to invest in the National Cycle Policy in the Programme for Government.  The greatest increase in cycling numbers will occur within urban areas as these trips are usually of a distance which lend themselves to cycling.  My Department has taken a two-pronged approach to include investment and promotion to improving...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 75 and 85 together. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on 1st December 2009, the provision of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as LUAS BXD, now comes under the remit of the NTA. Luas BXD to Broombridge was designed to be a key element in an overall  integrated...

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

Leo Varadkar: Section 37 of the Harbours Acts requires the commercial State port companies to employ a harbourmaster and such and so many employees as it considers to be necessary for the due performance of its functions. Therefore, the recruitment of staff is an operational matter for the individual companies and consequently, one in which I have no function. The only exception to this is the...

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

Leo Varadkar: Neither my Department nor any of its agencies has any function in respect of, or finance for, the provision or subsidisation of ferry services on this or any other route. The Lough Foyle Ferry Company Ltd was initiated by Donegal County Council in conjunction with Limavady Borough Council in 2002 through the establishment of a commercial ferry service between Greencastle, Co. Donegal and...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland, published by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in July of this year, presents a roadmap for the Government’s vision to tap into the economic potential of our seas, including marine tourism.  Land and seascapes combined with coastal communities and their associated culture and heritage have the potential...

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

Leo Varadkar: The current Road Safety Strategy covers the period 2007 to 2012.  It was prepared by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), which is responsible for leading, monitoring, reporting and evaluating the implementation of the strategy.  The overall objective, through a combination of education, enforcement and engineering actions, is to save lives and prevent serious injuries,...

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

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.  Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the...

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

Leo Varadkar: As I have indicated to the House previously, I have no plans at this time to develop a so-called "Western Arc" from Cork to Belfast as this would require both the re-opening of the remaining phases of the Western Rail Corridor and also the development of new rail lines to connect with the rail network in Northern Ireland.   The Government’s programme for the funding of...

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

Leo Varadkar: Preliminary estimates indicate that 743,000 people engaged in walking and hiking while on holiday in Ireland during 2011, with an associated spend of €649m. Therefore the walking product is an important part of our tourism industry.  I am advised that, over the coming months, Fáilte Ireland plans to undertake extensive research into the potential and...

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.   Within its capital budget,...

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

Leo Varadkar: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the CPO in relation to the Galway City Outer Bypass. 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...

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

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is an operational matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction with the National Transport Authority.  I have referred 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: Railway Stations Upgrade (18 Oct 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have referred 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: Proposed Legislation (18 Oct 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I share the Deputy's concern about sulky racing on public roads and the dangers created by it. Animal-drawn vehicles are bound by road traffic legislation, as are all vehicles used on public roads.  If used properly and in accordance with the legislation they should not pose a danger to other road users.  I do not believe that it would be proportionate to ban any particular...