Results 33,641-33,660 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Tourism Employment: Tourism Employment (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As with businesses in other sectors of the private economy, I am very conscious of difficulties being experienced by tour operators and travel agents due to the general economic circumstances prevailing at present. With regard to the tourism sector generally, the Government has introduced a range of measures to enhance competitiveness and our marketing drive overseas. These included...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (18 Apr 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.

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have no function in relation to this matter. Any such arrangements would be a matter for local authorities and the FAI.

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has answered 753 Parliamentary Questions from 1 January 2012 to 31 March 2012. The Department's Parliamentary Question System does not provide an immediate breakdown in the manner requested by the Deputy and providing the information in that manner would involve a disproportionate amount of work in terms of the staff time involved. However, as the Deputy is aware, the actual...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1416 and 1417 together. There are two special advisors in my Department, Mr. Nick Miller and Mr. Brian Murphy. The remuneration of Mr. Brian Murphy, my Special Advisor is €105,837, which is an increase from €80,051 granted on an exceptional basis. Mr. Miller's salary as my Press Advisor is €80,051.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The details of the 2012 Low Cost Safety Improvement Grants, including amounts and locations, are outlined in the "2012 Grant Allocations to Local Authorities for Regional and Local Roads" booklet, copies of which were sent to the Dáil library in February this year. The staff of the library have also indicated that this information is available to members through the online system.

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Since 1993 a total of €17.8 million funding has been allocated to Galway Airport, €8 million in respect of Capital expenditure and €9.8 million for subvention of operational expenditure. In December 2011, a total of over €5 million was allocated to the six regional airports to cover a portion of their operating costs incurred in 2011. This included a subvention of over €2 million...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1420 and 1439 together. The 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 to maintain safety standards. The limited funding available over and above this...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The implementation of individual national road schemes, including Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007. In addition, the statutory power to levy tolls on national...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have no function in relation to this matter. Arrangements regarding team suits are solely a matter for the FAI.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Under Action 35 of the Road Safety Strategy, 2007-2012, my Department is committed to auditing and reporting on the appropriateness and consistency of speed limits across the road network at regular intervals. The audit is designed to examine and improve, where necessary and appropriate, the application by local authorities of speed limits and speed limit signage throughout the country, in...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The following table provides details of total payments by my Department to mobile telephone companies in the last five years: Year Vodafone O2 2008 €43,746.22 €45,823.48 2009 €106,587.53 €44,765.89 2010 €55,147.83 €35,522.98 2011 €40,901.32 €29,844.20 2012 (to date) €13,962.13 €11,319.60 Mobile costs are included for Tourism and Sport functions since they...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (18 Apr 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 its capital budget, the assessment and...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The responsibility for the licensing of Public Bus Passenger Services was transferred under Statutory Instrument No. 566 of 2010 from my Department to the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 1 December 2010. 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 — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have not issued a direction to CIÉ or Iarnród Éireann regarding property or disused railway lines at this point as issues relating to property held by the CIE Group of Companies are primarily a matter for the Group. Notwithstanding this having regard to my Departments policy as regards the development of cycle routes I have a concern regarding the unauthorised and illegal encroachment...

Written Answers — National Substance Misuse Strategy: National Substance Misuse Strategy (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I fully support the central aim of the strategy in reducing the level of alcohol consumption in Ireland. However, I have serious concerns that a legislative ban on sponsorship would have negative consequences for sport and tourism. There are huge economic, social and health benefits accruing from sport. From a health perspective alone, there are clearly significant benefits for individuals...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Please see the following table regarding the number of contracts that were issued to consultancy firms by my Department in 2011 and the number that were issued in the first quarter of 2012 Number of contracts awarded to consultants from the 1st January 2011 to 31st March 2012 Year (ie 2011 or 2012) Name of Consultant Cost 2011 Deloitte €42,350 2011 Avia Solutions €16,940 2011...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1433 and 1434 together. The Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS) is a multi-employer scheme involving the employees of Aer Lingus, Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and the now non-operational SRT Technics. Pension entitlements and pensions in payment under this scheme are primarily matters for the Trustee, the members and the...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In relation to the tourism sector - which is my area of responsibility - the temporary lower 9% VAT rate applies to a range of services, including hotels and restaurants. This initiative was aimed at supporting the creation and maintenance of employment within the tourism sector as well as helping tourism businesses to lower their cost base, thereby allowing them to offer a more competitive...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Ireland has a bilateral air transport agreement with China; the agreement was signed in 1998 and provides the basis on which air services between the two countries can be operated. It is open to any Irish, EU or Chinese airline to operate services between the two countries under the terms of the agreement and I would very much welcome any such initiative. The Dublin Airport Authority and...