Results 33,321-33,340 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I assure the Deputy that I am not insinuating that he is doing anything illegal.

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am just impressed by the Deputy's level of knowledge with regard to what is happening in the area in question.

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Fuel laundering is a matter for the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. There are a number of things which could be done in terms of adding markers, etc., to fuel. Isotope markers appear to be an option in this regard. The level of freight being carried by rail is increasing slightly. Irish Rail's business in this area is now quite profitable, which was not the case in the...

Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I cannot provide assurances in that regard. Again, this matter does not fall within my remit. The Deputy's question would probably be best answered by the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.

Sale of State Assets (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In an announcement to the Irish Stock Exchange on 19 June, the board of Ryanair announced its intention to make an all-cash offer for 100% of the share capital of Aer Lingus. Under the takeover panel rules, Ryanair must issue its formal offer document to Aer Lingus shareholders by 17 July, setting out in detail the terms of its offer. As the Government is a minority shareholder in Aer...

Sale of State Assets (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: There is very little we can do to protect the Heathrow Airport slots. At the time of privatisation having a golden share might have been a good idea, but there is nothing to prevent the company from leasing the slots. This could be done by the board at any time. The sale of the slots would just require a special motion. It is clear that airlines across Europe are consolidating. If Aer...

Sale of State Assets (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have no concerns about access to Heathrow Airport. There is access through Aer Lingus and British Airways. Last week my Heathrow-Shannon flight was full, which I was delighted to see. These connections work because they continue to be profitable. Should the State be in a position to sell its 25% stake, this is the kind of conversation we would like to have with a buyer. Among the other...

Tourism Promotion (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The question relates to the current status of The Gathering project. 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...

Tourism Promotion (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Gathering primarily relates to next year. Inbound visitor number figures for last year were favourable. There was an increase of 6% on 2010 after several years of decline. To date this year we are behind target. We had targeted a 4% increase this year but so far there has been a 1% decrease in visitor numbers. This varies however. For example, there has been an increase from...

Tourism Promotion (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I offer the figures from mainland Europe. Figures from Germany are up 10%, figures from France are up by 6%, figures from Italy are up by 9%, figures from the Nordic region are up by 9.5% and those from the Benelux countries are up by 8%. There are several factors which explain why the British market is depressed and they do not apply only to this side of the Irish Sea. New television...

Swimming Pool Projects (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The question relates to the restoration of the Dún Laoghaire baths. Fáilte Ireland has responsibility for the operation of the tourism capital investment programme. The development of the project referred to by the Deputy is primarily the responsibility of the relevant local authority, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. I am informed by Fáilte Ireland that no application has been...

Swimming Pool Projects (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am flattered a little by the Deputy's question. I am the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and have a considerable number of responsibilities across a number of areas, including aviation and the ports, in respect of which I work with the Ministers of State Deputies Alan Kelly and Michael Ring. I am a little surprised that the priority question from the Technical Group is...

Swimming Pool Projects (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am not sure what question the Deputy is asking, but I wish to make two comments. Dún Laoghaire Harbour is a wonderful amenity for the State. I often visit and will be attending the youth sailing championships there in the near future. I do not know whether renovating the Victorian baths would result in international tourists flocking to Dún Laoghaire. That would have to be assessed,...

Swimming Pool Projects (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: It is a matter for the council chamber.

Swimming Pool Projects (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Perhaps the Deputy might return to it in due course.

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 89, 119, 127 and 735 together. Central Statistics Office figures for January to May 2012 indicate that visits from overseas to Ireland are broadly in line with 2011 levels, with a marginal decrease of 0.7%. Last year we saw growth in overseas visits to Ireland for the first time since 2007. While the figures have been on a par this year, I remain confident...

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, has primary responsibility for sports tourism, but I agree with the Deputy on the value of golf as a tourism product. It is a good product for us. A golf promotion entitled, Home of the Champions, is under way using Pádraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell as the face of golf. We also have an arrangement with Northern...

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The 9% VAT rate introduced by the Minister for Finance in the jobs initiative will be maintained until at least the end of 2013. After that, I do not know what the position will be as it is a matter for Government. Lest I have speculated on the budget for 2013, I certainly will not speculate on the budget for 2014. I concur fully with the Deputy on the important issue of heritage. Many...

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The visit of Queen Elizabeth II was a great success and helped showcase Ireland overseas. Her visit to Cashel, which was a major part of her trip, was great. I was pleased to visit Carrick-on-Suir with the Deputy last week. Unfortunately, we did not visit Cashel but perhaps we can do so the next time I visit the area. A report is being done at Department level and in consultation with the...

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am impressed by the Deputy's commitment to his constituency, which is beyond the call of duty. I am sure that unlike his colleagues in the Technical Group, he is not spending too much taxpayers' money in travelling around the country to promote tax evasion-----