Results 33,401-33,420 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Bus Services: Bus Services (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I understand the Deputy is referring to decision making by Bus Éireann about its commercial relations with CIE Tours International. I have forwarded your 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 — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Gathering Ireland 2013 will be Ireland's biggest ever tourism initiative. It aims to attract as many as 325,000 extra overseas visitors to Ireland, generating an additional €170 million in revenue to the Irish economy. The event presents a significant opportunity for all enterprises involved in Irish tourism, including CIE Tours International. Obviously, it will be an operational...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The question appears to relate to a decision by a local authority to not apply for funding for a particular project under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme. I have no responsibility for a decision by a potential applicant on whether or not to apply under the programme.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have no proposals at present to increase the maximum speed limit applicable to motorways. My Department has set up a Review Group to examine a range of issues pertaining to speed limits on the roads network. I will consider any final recommendations from that review group in due course. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In 2008, the National Roads Authority (NRA) made an application to my Department for the redesignation of the N6 Athlone Bypass as a motorway. This application was carefully considered but was ultimately turned down for various reasons, including the fact that this would result in pedestrians, cyclists and agricultural vehicles being prohibited from using the bypass. I have no plans to...

Written Answers — Bus Services: Bus Services (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of public service obligation services by the CIÉ companies is subject to contract between the companies, in this case Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have forwarded a copy of your question to the NTA for information. Notwithstanding the NTA's statutory responsibilities, the Government recognises there is a need for the CIE companies to respond to...

Written Answers — Tourist Accommodation: Tourist Accommodation (19 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Fáilte Ireland does not issue licences to run caravan or camping parks but is responsible for maintaining a register of such parks and for setting the minimum standards for registration. It is illegal under the Tourist Traffic Acts for parks which are not registered to describe themselves as caravan parks or camping parks or a number of further protected titles. To qualify for...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (14 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The NTA is responsibility for Bus Passenger Route Licensing. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. He should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (14 Jun 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 is capital budget, the assessment...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (14 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am informed by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, which is responsible for overseeing the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) course and examination, that demand for the CPC has fallen by 67% since 2005. The number sitting exams in the country in 2011 was 402, and in 2010 was 517, spread over three exam sessions per year. Demand per region is therefore quite low -...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (13 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Under previous rounds of the Sports Capital Programme no funding has been allocated toward the project referred to by the Deputy. My Department has received an application for funding under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme for this project. Departmental officials have started processing all applications received. This process will take some time, due to the volume of applications and the...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (13 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The expenditure provisions for my Department are set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and are a matter of public record. The Revised Estimates list the main funding provided by the Department. The details of funding provided by the agencies under the aegis of the Department to a multitude of small diverse businesses and organisations is...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (13 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Details of all commercial and non-commercial state agencies under the remit of my Department, including board appointments and the levels of board fees payable are available on my Department's website http://www.transport.ie/StateBoardMembership.aspx . Full details of payments actually made are published in the annual reports and accounts of the relevant agencies. I will shortly be laying...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has committed to provide funding of up to €25,000 to the Olympic Council of Ireland towards the costs associated with the Olympic Torch Relay's visit to Dublin.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has committed to provide funding of up to €25,000 to the Olympic Council of Ireland towards the costs associated with the Olympic Torch Relay's visit to Dublin.

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (12 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have no statutory function in relation to this issue. It is a matter for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the DAA and have asked them to reply to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (12 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test. The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. The testing function is carried out by Applus+, since January...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (12 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: There are two special advisors in my Department. Mr. Brian Murphy, who is a Special Advisor and Mr. Nick Miller, who is a Press Advisor. The remuneration of Mr. Brian Murphy, my Special Advisor is €105,837, which is an increase from €80,051 granted on an exceptional basis. The salary awarded to Mr. Miller as my Press Advisor is €80,051.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (12 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational one for Tourism Ireland Limited as the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (12 Jun 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The overall stated objective of the current Road Safety Strategy is to reduce the number of road fatalities to no greater than 60 fatalities per million population by the end of 2012, an average of 21 fatalities per month or 252 fatalities per annum. In 2010 the number of road fatalities was 212, an average of 18 road fatalities per month. 2011 witnessed the lowest recorded number of road...