Results 33,101-33,120 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Obligation Services (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised by the Deputy  is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. He should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.   Under EU law and the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended, existing public service obligation (PSO) bus and rail...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Labour Court Recommendations (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Labour Court has not issued any specific recommendations in relation to my Department.   I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the organisations under the aegis of my Department for their direct response.  He should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1908 and 1909 together. The Government’s programme for the funding of capital projects to 2016 is set out in the "Medium Term Exchequer Framework 2012-16 ".   Due to the overall reduction in funding for transport infrastructure the priority to 2016 is to protect investment made to date and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Recruitment (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: There are currently 466.94 staff employed in my Department (550 whole time equivalents), 5.1% of whom have a disability.  Due to a moratorium on recruitment, no recruitment has been permitted into Government Departments since 1 January 2011. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Stadium Projects (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The normal procedure in regard to the hosting of an international sporting event is that the Irish affiliate of the relevant governing body will bid to host the event in Ireland. In the case of the  2023 Rugby World Cup, any bid would be made by the IRFU. I have expressed my support to the IRFU for any bid that they decide to make.   ...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Gathering Team are currently holding a range of community meetings across the country to facilitate in the development of local and regional events. To date meetings have been held in a range of counties including Roscommon, Mayo, Clare, Kerry, Cavan, Leitrim, Carlow, Meath, Wicklow, Monaghan and Tipperary.  Meetings have recently been announced for Waterford in Dungarvan on 1st...

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

Leo Varadkar: I presented proposals for "The Gathering Ireland 2013" at the Global Irish Economic Forum last October.  Fáilte Ireland is the lead agency for the implementation of  the initiative and has put in place a Project Executive Team to implement it.  Tourism Ireland has specific responsibility for promoting The Gathering in overseas markets and has...

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

Leo Varadkar: The licensing of operators for the carriage of goods for hire and reward using heavy goods vehicles is provided for in the Road Transport Acts and EU legislation.  The licensing of operators engaged in the carriage of their own goods is the exception across the EU.  I am aware that it is the case in Great Britain and more recently in Northern Ireland with the enactment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Company Takeovers (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This question concerns the recent Ryanair takeover offer for Aer Lingus. The paper prepared by the Central Representative Council, which is enclosed with the correspondence referred to in the question was sent directly to me by the CRC. The CRC represents the trade unions in Aer Lingus and I am familiar with the arguments they put forward against Ryanair's offer.  ...

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

Leo Varadkar: Responsibility for the operation of the driver testing service is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA).  I have therefore referred the question to the RSA 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: Tourism Industry (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department’s role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy and it is not involved in the administration of tourism funding programmes.  Fáilte Ireland provides a range of business supports to individual tourism businesses throughout the country. The supports assist businesses in matters including financial restructuring,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Training (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Penalty Point System (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1920, 1921, 1923 and 1925 together. The Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) involves the implementation of nine measures which, taken together, will constitute a significant step forward in the driver learning process in Ireland.  I believe that it will in turn make a valuable contribution to increasing safety on our roads. Some of the measures...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My reply to Dáil Question No. 684 from the Deputy refers.  In the context of the overall review of the penalty points system, I am considering bringing the offence of non-display of an 'L' plate within the scope of the penalty point system, though such a measure would require primary legislation. Furthermore, my officials are also in consultation with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Applications (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Following a review of the driver licence function, and with the introduction of a new plastic card licence in mind, the Government decided that the driver licence function should be centralised and operated by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012, enacted earlier this year, provides for the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Anti-Social Behaviour (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The safety and security of passengers and staff including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour is a matter for the relevant transport operators in conjunction, as appropriate, with the Gardai.  I have referred the Deputy's question to the Railway Procurement Agency and CIÉ for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The focus of the Taxi Regulation Review was to achieve a balanced set of reforms that would allow consumers to have confidence in the taxi system while also ensuring that legitimate and competent operators and drivers would be rewarded fairly by operating under a regulatory framework that is adequately enforced. The recommendations contained in the Taxi Regulation...

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

Leo Varadkar: It is not envisaged that direct funding or grants will be provided for ‘The Gathering Ireland 2013’ events on the ground except for selected and targeted major events and festivals. Rather, this is an opportunity for individuals and communities to play a part by encouraging additional overseas visitors to Ireland in 2013.    Each county will have a Gathering...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Appointments to State Boards (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Department was established in its current form on 1st April 2011 and details of Board Membership of all  the agencies under the aegis of the Department are provided on my Department's website at .   The percentage of male and female Board Members currently stands at 26.25% women and 73.75% men.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations Upgrade (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as Kishogue train station, comes under the remit of the NTA. ...