Results 33,341-33,360 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: -----given he is so committed to Dún Laoghaire.

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is encouraging people to do it.

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: While facilitating is one thing, actually encouraging people to do it is another thing entirely.

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Government is in discussions with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on the Joyce tower to get it reopened and I am sure they will come to a conclusion. A huge amount of investment goes into heritage, be it the €5 million that is being invested in Killarney House at present or the just-completed renovations to Castletown House with the help of the Office of Public Works and-----

Tourism Industry (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As I had read that, yes I did. However, it is something that really must be led at local level.

Smarter Transport (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 154 and 708 together. These questions relate to the Smarter Transport Bill, which was introduced last year by Deputy Eoghan Murphy as a Private Members' Bill, and the related matters of electric vehicles and car clubs. The purpose of the Smarter Transport Bill is twofold. First, it aims to promote electric car use by allowing local authorities to make...

Smarter Transport (3 Jul 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As far as is possible we will integrate those provisions into the road traffic Bill 2012. The Friday sessions have been very useful in giving Deputies an opportunity to bring forward their own legislation. It seems to me that the Opposition always wins the lottery and I am not sure why that is. I certainly welcome the Bill and its provisions.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (28 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As the State is a shareholder in Aer Lingus, I am constrained by the Irish Takeover Panel Rules and other requirements in what I can say in relation to Ryanair's proposed bid for Aer Lingus. Pension entitlements of Aer Lingus employees are a matter for the Trustees of the Schemes, the companies involved and the members of the schemes.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (28 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister, I receive representations on many issues, and these include concerns about infractions of Road Traffic Regulations, among them failure to obey red lights. It is worth remembering that representations to Ministers, while always to be taken seriously, do not constitute statistical information: the scale of a problem on the ground cannot be extrapolated from the amount of...

Written Answers — National Vehicle and Driver File: National Vehicle and Driver File (28 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Technically it is possible to identify the registration of a vehicle recorded on the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) in my Department by reference to the chassis (VIN) number. However chassis numbers across vehicle make/models may not be unique and consequently an enquiry on a particular chassis may reveal more than one vehicle registration number in response. The Deputy will be aware...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (28 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The procedures in place to manage sick leave in my Department are as per Department of Finance's 'Circular 09/2010: Management of Sick Leave', which is available on the Government website www.circulars.gov.ie at the following link: http://circulars.gov.ie/yearindex/2010/. The sick leave entitlements in place in my Department are as per the the Department of Finance's 'Circular 25/1978: Sick...

Written Answers — Public Sector Reform: Public Sector Reform (28 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Public Service Agreement (Croke Park) 2010-2014 Action Plan for change in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Non-Commercial Semi-state Agencies (NCSAs) and the progress report for the period April 2011 to March 2012 are available on my Department's website at the following link http://www.transport.ie/Public Sector Action Plan. This outlines the results achieved to date...

Written Answers — Bus Services: Bus Services (27 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Matters relating to the Real Time Passenger Information Project are in the first instance the responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (27 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The subject of this question, i.e. management of driver testing, is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Bus Services: Bus Services (27 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together. Matters relating to the Real Time Passenger Information Project are in the first instance the responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have referred the Deputy's letter to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Sale of State Assets: Sale of State Assets (27 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The relevant EU Regulation does not, in itself, place any specific restrictions on the Government selling its stake in Aer Lingus. However, it may impose restrictions on prospective buyers. Regulation (EC) No. 1008 of 2008 sets out the rules for the licensing of Community air carriers. This Regulation states that in order to be granted an operating licence, certain conditions must be met,...

Written Answers — Sale of State Assets: Sale of State Assets (27 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 210 together. These questions concern the proposed offer by Ryanair for shares in Aer Lingus. As the State is a shareholder in Aer Lingus, I am constrained by the Irish Takeover Panel Rules and other requirements in what I can say in relation to the proposed takeover. Deputies will be aware that Ryanair made a statement to the Irish Stock Exchange on...

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (27 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The ministerial transport expenses paid to me and my colleagues, Ministers of State, Deputies Michael Ring and Alan Kelly, are published on the Departments website, www.dttas.ie . There are additional costs incurred for ministerial car transport in the form of salaries and expenses paid to drivers. In 2011 these amounted to: Minister Varadkar Salaries for two drivers - €48,174 Mileage...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (26 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of the Deputy's question is the responsibility of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety to whom it has been sent for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if he has not received a reply within ten days.

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (26 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The person in question was advised in 2008 by the Minister for Transport at the time that the matters raised are the responsibility of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. My office was in contact with the Deputy following receipt of his letter of 30 March 2012 seeking any other correspondence in relation to the case. The papers show that the matter was been dealt...