Results 33,501-33,520 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (15 May 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 team to manage the project. The event will be the biggest tourism initiative ever staged in Ireland and will consist of a year-long programme of festivals, events and other...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In the first instance, the Junior Certificate is a matter for the Minister for Education and Skills and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. However, I believe that the reformed Junior Certificate, and the proposed short courses in particular, offer significant opportunities for important cross subject learning. Education in the area of road safety is one such possibility. The...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: According to the Central Statistics Office, there were over 6.5 million overseas visits to Ireland in 2011 – an increase of 6% on 2010 and the first growth since 2007. This was supported by the Government's actions in the Jobs Initiative such as reducing VAT on certain tourism services to 9%; the Visa Waiver Programme; and halving employers' PRSI for those on modest wages. Looking to...

Written Answers — Smarter Travel: Smarter Travel (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 540, 541, 545 and 546 together. I am keen to encourage the use of electric cars and car clubs as part of my Department's Sustainable Transport agenda, and changes to legislation to allow road authorities to make bye-laws would indeed be a help in this regard. Last October Deputy Eoghan Murphy proposed a Private Member's Bill, the Smarter Transport Bill 2011...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Departments in line with eGovernment objectives are required to identify opportunities which will optimise online service availability for customers and at the same time deliver much needed cost savings to the Exchequer. The online motor tax service is recognised as one the major successes of eGovernment services and at this stage nearly 60% of vehicle owners who are eligible to do so renew...

Written Answers — Public Private Partnerships: Public Private Partnerships (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The use of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a delivery mechanism for capital investment, where appropriate, is kept under review. A number of road PPP projects have been successfully delivered in recent years. The successful awarding of a major PPP contract is challenging at any time but is particularly challenging in circumstances where Ireland has been the subject of intervention by...

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Assessments: Regulatory Impact Assessments (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has completed five Regulatory Impact Analyses (RIA) since 9 March 2011 as follows: Proposed merger of Railway Procurement Agency and the National Roads Authority - a summary analysis was published on 3 May 2011 on my Department's website together with the full report of the Steering Group on the proposed merger; Statutory Instrument to transpose Directive 2009/15/EC of the...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann. 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 — Regional Airports: Regional Airports (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Any developments in relation to Ireland West Airport Knock are a matter for the management of that Airport which is a privately owned entity. While a decision in principle have been taken in relation to Shannon Airport, a Steering Group which is shortly to be established by myself and the Minister of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation will be tasked with bringing forward proposals for the...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. 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 — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question 259 of the 28th March, 2012 in which I set out the new procedures for appointments to State boards which have applied since my Department advertised them on Friday 8th April 2011. I also set out full details of the appointments that I had made to that date, all of which were under the new procedures. These procedures continue to be the basis on which...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Financial Resolution (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I move: That provision be made in the Act giving effect to this Resolution for the charging of, in accordance with Regulations made by the Minister under section 4 of the Act, a road safety levy to finance the ongoing costs and enforcement regime of the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (CVR) programme, which will form part of the overall fee to be charged in respect of CVR tests.

Leaders' Questions (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Has Deputy Finian McGrath's time been taken up?

Leaders' Questions (15 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: We do not have a crystal ball.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (10 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Similarly, the improvement and maintenance of regional and...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (10 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, public transport services and fares are a matter for the CIÉ operating companies in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), which regulates fares for public service obligation services. As the fare increases regulated by the NTA do not apply to promotional pricing, Irish Rail may offer discounts on regulated fares via web fares in order to...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (10 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance, in relation to VAT and other taxes and duties which are applied to fuel. I am aware that the Department of Finance has established a working group with representatives of the road haulage industry to look at this matter.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (10 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Responsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing system in the greater Dublin area became the function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 30 September 2010 in accordance with section 58 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. The integrated ticketing system is being introduced in the greater Dublin area on a phased...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (10 May 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I understand from the Deputy that the local group concerned is exploring the possible avenues of funding for the development of its area as a tourism location. In this regard, I think the best approach would be for the group to first engage with Fáilte Ireland who can advise on what funding is available and where best to apply for the various projects they are planning. Accordingly, if the...