Results 34,081-34,100 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Rail Services (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I concur with the Deputy's comments. We must wait to see if we get a rail order, which will have conditions attached. Only then can this go to tender. With regard to the capital investment plan, we only have funds to start construction from 2015, and it is hoped the project will be running by 2017. If a funding mechanism can be provided to bring forward the commencement of works to next...

Rail Services (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: It is important to bear in mind with regard to contributions made along the metro line, they are much less than the amount spent on the preparatory planning and enabling works.

Rail Services (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Some €180 million has been spent. Currently there is no development contribution scheme along the BXD route. It is a matter for the city council and it would be appropriate to have discussions with the council on some form of contribution, particularly with regard to property along the route, including undeveloped sites that will increase in value because of the project.

State Airports (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 13, 16, 35, and 40 to 42, inclusive, together. I have already outlined in the House today the current position on the future of Cork and Shannon airports and the background to the commissioning of consultants to carry out a study of the options for the future ownership and operation of both airports. The tender process used to select the consultants took...

State Airports (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Many questions were asked and I hope I do justice to Deputies in terms of replying to their questions. Booz & Co. has had extensive experience both in terms of infrastructure and airports. I can provide the Deputy with a more detailed document if he requires on the background to some work it did internationally. Many people would accept the company did a very good job, although I accept...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's question relates to road fatality statistics, the record in 2011 and future initiatives. Provisional figures show that there were185 road fatalities on Irish roads in 2011. This is a reduction of 27 on 2010 and is the lowest annual figure since records began. Detailed analysis of the statistics, including on a county basis, will be carried out by the Road Safety Authority (RSA)...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 54 together. The questions relate to progress made in developing new routes and additional capacity to Irish airports, and the position regarding the future of the travel tax. As the Deputies will be aware, the market for air services in the EU is fully liberalised so it is a matter for carriers to decide what routes to serve; there is no scope for...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 58 together. I presented proposals for "The Gathering 2013" at last October's 2011 Global Irish Economic Forum. The National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland is the lead agency for the implementation of The Gathering initiative. The event will be the biggest tourism initiative ever staged in Ireland and will consist of a year-long...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (12 Jan 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 Department continues to assist Road...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 25 and 56 together. The target for overseas visits in 2012, set out in the Marketing Plan of Tourism Ireland, the agency with responsibility for marketing Ireland as a holiday destination overseas, is to increase visit numbers to Ireland by a further 4.5%. This will build on the growth in visits achieved in 2011, for the first time since 2007. While final...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of information to tourists including through facilities such as mobile internet devices is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I am aware, for example, that Fáilte Ireland launched a free Discover Ireland app for Apple and Android mobile operating systems during the summer of 2011. For further information, I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The percentage of public transport vehicles which are wheelchair accessible is a matter for the public transport providers and I have referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days. Public Transport accessibility is being progressed by my Department through the...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 64 together. The provision of public service obligation services by the CIÉ companies is subject to contract between the companies and the National Transport Authority (NTA). The total Exchequer allocation in respect of the provision of Public Service Obligations(PSO) services for 2012 is €242.32m. The amount to be allocated to Bus Éireann and...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The funding referred to by the Deputy relates to funding provided through the Dormant Accounts Fund for the appointment of Sports Inclusion Disability Officers (SIDOs) in Local Sports Partnerships. Any funding secured from the Dormant Accounts Fund is clearly time bound and the SIDO appointments were made on that basis. In 2010, the Irish Sports Council agreed a funding mechanism to ensure...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (12 Jan 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). Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's Question to the...

Written Answers — Capital Expenditure: Capital Expenditure (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department's capital allocation for 2012 and the following 4 years as set out in the "Infrastructural and Capital Investment 2012-16: Medium Term Exchequer Framework" published in November 2011 represents the outcome of the Capital Expenditure Review carried out last year across all Government Departments. Throughout the process I recognised the need for my Department to deliver on its...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (12 Jan 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). Noting the position above, I have referred the Deputy's question to the...

Written Answers — Tourism Revenue: Tourism Revenue (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 67 together. Under the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Medium Term Exchequer Framework, the projected level of support for capital investment in tourism is €81 million for the period 2012 to 2016. For 2012, there is an allocation of €21.2 million to Failte Ireland to support investment in tourism product development, in recognition of the...

Written Answers — Aviation Sector: Aviation Sector (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I reject the Deputy's assertion that there is a lack of joined up thinking in our aviation policy. The aim of our aviation policy is to ensure that the sector supports Irelands economic and social goals in a safe, competitive, cost-effective and sustainable manner and to ensure maximum connectivity for Ireland with the rest of the world for the benefit of Irish business and tourism. Bringing...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As part of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) I meet formally with my Ministerial counterparts at the Department for Regional Development and the Department of Environment, bi-annually, to discuss a range of transport topics of mutual interest and where there is potential for an integrated approach across both jurisdictions. The topics covered include road safety, road and rail...