Results 33,961-33,980 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: The promotion and development of various tourism sectors and activities are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the tourism agencies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — National Substance Misuse Strategy: National Substance Misuse Strategy (16 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy published last week recommends that drinks industry sponsorship of sport and other large events in Ireland should be phased out through legislation by 2016. 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...

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

Leo Varadkar: The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the National Roads Authority (NRA) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).

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

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority within its area, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources and may be supplemented by State road grants. The re-instatement of roads excavated by...

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

Leo Varadkar: I can advise the Deputy that, on the basis of legal advice received, the draft audit report referred to has been issued by the Internal Audit Unit of my Department to a number of parties referred to in it in order to allow them an opportunity to comment on its contents prior to its being finalised. Once this process has been completed, the final text of the report will be submitted to my...

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

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national roads are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting this, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA...

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

Leo Varadkar: Against the backdrop of very tight overall financial constraints, the grant allocations for 2012 in respect of regional and local roads have now been announced. Donegal County Council has received an increase of €1.1 million in its restoration improvement grant (above the 2011 amount) to bring it to €11.3 million. The additional monies being made available to the Council under the...

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

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy is aware, the Trans-European Network (TEN-T) and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) were published by the European Commission in October, 2011. These were proposed by the European Commission and are currently being discussed in the European Council and in the European Parliament and therefore, have not yet been agreed. It is important to note that the TEN-T Core Network was...

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

Leo Varadkar: As agreed with the Deputy details on the number of people employed in the Department and the applicable pay rates per grade is outlined in Table 1. The pay rates shown are the revised rates applicable from 1st January 2010 for public servants. New reduced pay (NRP) rates apply with effect from 1st January 2011 to new entrants recruited into the public service. The Department of...

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

Leo Varadkar: The State tourism agencies are working hard to ensure a significant tourism impact for the finale of the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway later this year. As the promotion of such events is an operational matter for those agencies, I have referred the question to the tourism agencies and asked them to inform the Deputy of their activities in this area. Please advise my private office if you do not...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 to 265, inclusive, together. The Government made a concerted effort to reduce the cost base of the tourism sector through the 2011 Jobs Initiative which introduced a reduced 9% VAT rate from July 1st on a range of services, including hotels and restaurants. The Government also halved employers' PRSI for those on modest wages and introduced a visa...

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

Leo Varadkar: I have not held discussions with the banking sector on the issue referred to by the Deputy and the primary responsibility for the restructuring of the banking system is held by my colleague, the Minister for Finance. In this regard, I am informed that under the restructuring plan for the two Pillar Banks, Bank of Ireland and AIB, both banks were required to sanction lending of at least €3...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (16 Feb 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. As outlined in the Infrastructure and...

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

Leo Varadkar: Tourism Ireland is the all-island tourism marketing company established under the Good Friday Agreement. The Company has responsibility for the overseas promotion of the entire island of Ireland as a tourist destination, Tourism Brand Ireland and the delivery of regional and product marketing and promotion activity on behalf of Fáilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Details...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (15 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: At present no arrangements have been made for the pre-clearance at Shannon of commercial aircraft carrying U.S. military personnel. This is an issue which is being discussed between Irish and US authorities.

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (15 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I recently announced that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport will be advertising two new rounds of the Sports Capital Programme between now and 2016. I am currently making the necessary arrangements to launch a new programme early this year.

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

Leo Varadkar: My Department is funding an ongoing programme for public transport improvements in the four regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, and this programme is being administered on behalf of my Department by the National Transport Authority (NTA). I am informed by the NTA that it has just recently completed, in consultation with Bus Éireann, a review of the bus network operated...

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

Leo Varadkar: The issue 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 — Rail Services: Rail Services (15 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. 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 — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (15 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Preparations for Ireland's EU Presidency are well underway in my Department. A separate EU Coordination and Presidency Planning Unit was established last Autumn, with a Dublin-based staff complement of two. A Presidency Planning Group, comprising relevant officials from the Irish Permanent Representation in Brussels together with key Departmental staff, is in place and has already met on a...