Results 33,941-33,960 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's question relates to the A5 roads project. In 2006, the Irish Government gave a commitment to co-fund the construction of the A5 through Northern Ireland to Derry thus improving access to Letterkenny and North Donegal. Up to the end of 2011, funding of £19 million (Sterling) was paid by the Government towards the planning of the project. A further £3 million (Sterling) has been...

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: There is a substantial history of correspondence on this matter between my Department and Dublin City Council in particular, going back well before my own time as Minister, and I have myself considered this question and corresponded with that Council on the issue. As I have indicated in my correspondence with the Council, I am satisfied that the arguments for revising the regulations to...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department will shortly engage with the National Roads Authority and local authorities throughout the country with a view to ensuring that a nationwide audit of speed limits takes place. The aim of this audit is to examine and improve, where appropriate, the application by local authorities of speed limits and speed limit signage throughout the country, in accordance with my Department's...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Recognising the success of the Dublinbikes scheme, the Programme for Government commits my Department to look to extend the scheme to other cities and integrate the scheme more effectively with public transport links. Following an analysis, carried out at my request, on the potential for the extension of the Dublinbikes scheme to other cities, consultations on the potential for and means of...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I believe that there is significant potential for Irish tourism in the development of an appropriate centre focusing on the story of the Irish diaspora. The Government's Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework 2012 - 2016, published in November 2011, includes a commitment of support for a Diaspora Centre or Diaspora Museum should a suitable project and partner be available....

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Investment in sport is based on our belief that it is an important part of our individual, community and national life. It can make a major contribution to some of our most pressing social and health issues, including mental health and suicide prevention. We all appreciate the important role that sport plays in our society in promoting healthy lifestyles, creating a sense of identity and...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The current Road Safety Strategy 2007 - 2012 was drawn-up by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and identified a number of Actions to be completed by various stakeholder bodies in order to improve safety on our roads. The implementation of the Actions has contributed significantly to the reduction in road fatalities in recent years. As a result, I have asked the RSA to work closely with my...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 51 together. The matters raised are primarily operational ones for the State tourism agencies. Fáilte Ireland - as the National Tourism Development Authority - is the lead agency for organising "The Gathering 2013" and for promoting domestic tourism as well as destination development. Tourism Ireland has lead responsibility for promoting Irish...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Government recognises that tourism is very important to all regions of Ireland. It employs an estimated 180,000 people spread throughout the country and much of this in rural areas. The Government's Jobs Initiative last year placed the tourism and hospitality sector at the heart of our economic recovery, recognising its vital contribution to employment, economic activity and foreign...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Staff retiring before 29th February 2012 are not doing so under an early retirement scheme. They are retiring under normal retirement terms and conditions within the 'Grace Period' in other words the period of time during which the calculation of public service pensions is unaffected by the pay reductions applied under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009....

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Advertising and education regarding road safety for all road users are the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). My Department provides funding to the RSA in order to allow it fulfil its functions. While it is a matter predominantly for the RSA to decide the allocation of funding across its functions, I am aware that a considerable amount of its total income is allocated to...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The restoration improvement grant is one of a range of grants made to local authorities from Exchequer funds to assist them in the maintenance and improvement of approximately 91,000 kms of non-national roads across the country. These grants are intended to supplement authorities' own funds. The allocation of funds from my Department, and previously from the Department of the Environment,...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The annual subvention for the provision of public service obligation (PSO) services by Dublin Bus is subject to contract between the company and the National Transport Authority (NTA) since 2009. The amounts paid to the company in respect of PSO services since 2008 are as follows:- 2008 €85.63m 2009 €83.20m 2010 €75.68m 2011 €73.04m. I understand that the NTA has allocated...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: These three appointees to the Board of Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) were selected by me on the basis of the range of appropriate talents and experiences that they possess which I know will be of great benefit to the DAA and to the development of aviation generally in Ireland in these challenging times. The annual remuneration payable to each director is €15,750 in accordance with...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I announced in June 2011 that I had secured Government approval for additional funding to be made available to all six regional airports in 2011, including Galway Airport. However, at that time the Government also decided that it would not be able to provide operational or capital funding to Galway or Sligo airports from 2012 onwards. This was in line with the recommendations of the Value...

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) 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 2010, under a contractual arrangement with the RSA. I am informed that immediately arising...

Written Answers — Olympic Games: Olympic Games (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The International Olympic Committee agreed in December that the Olympic Flame will visit Dublin on 6 June as part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. Responsibility for all aspects of the visit of the Olympic Torch Relay to Ireland, including the relay route, rests with the Olympic Council of Ireland.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am advised that recent bus network changes have meant that a number of bus lanes are no longer required. In such cases, it is a matter for the local authorities to determine the most appropriate traffic arrangements to put in place for the particular road. Within the Greater Dublin Area, the relevant local authority should liaise with the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to...