Results 34,161-34,180 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (11 Jan 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. As part of this responsibility both I, and my Departmental officials, engage with the NRA on a regular basis on these issues. However, within the funding and policy framework set by my Department, the assessment and prioritisation of individual...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Office of Public Works (OPW) arranges the procurement of office and other accommodation required for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and State funded bodies under the aegis of the Department. In addition rental agreements for premises are entered into by individual State funded bodies. Since the ownership of these buildings is not vested in the Department or the bodies...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (11 Jan 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. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (11 Jan 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. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (11 Jan 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 — State Airports: State Airports (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1039 and 1040 together. In October last, I appointed consultants to carry out a study of options for the future ownership and operation of Cork and Shannon airports. The consultants were asked to provide wide ranging advice on all possible options. I received their report in December and I am currently considering their analyses and recommendations. I...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1041 and 1058 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 and is also responsible for the development of tourism in the regions. The event will be the biggest tourism...

Written Answers — Clamping Industry: Clamping Industry (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware of a range of issues which have been raised by members of the public regarding difficulties they have encountered with elements of the clamping industry. While current legislation permits local authorities to clamp vehicles in public places, either directly or by contract with a clamping company, there is no legislation covering clamping on private property. In line with the...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1043 and 1052 together. Statistics in relation to overseas visits to Ireland, like other official statistics, are compiled and published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), under the Department of the Taoiseach. Final figures for 2011 are still being compiled. However, the Overseas Travel Survey for the first 11 months of 2011 was published by the CSO...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1044, 1054 and 1059 together. The Jobs Initiative 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 waiver scheme that makes Ireland more accessible for tourists from important new and emerging markets. These...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Government recognises that tourism is very important to all regions of Ireland. It generates total revenue of the order of €5 billion and employs an estimated 180,000, 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...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (11 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 — Road Network: Road Network (11 Jan 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 the N11 Arklow-Rathnew/N7 Newlands Cross PPP, is a matter for the NRA under the Roads Acts 1993-2007. The funding arrangements as proposed for the N11 PPP project involve annual...

Written Answers — Ambulance Service: Ambulance Service (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The discussions that took place in January 2011 related to an Aero Medical Pilot Scheme for the West Clare area. The pilot scheme was to identify suitable landing sites in that area from which air ambulance transfers could take place for critical patients. The current helicopter craft in use by the Irish Coast Guard (an S61 model) requires certification relating to specific landing sites to...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The regulation of the taxi industry, including all matters relating to the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003, is the overall responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA). Authorised persons may be appointed under Section 49 of the 2003 Act to perform the enforcement functions necessary to support the regulation of the taxi sector....

Written Answers — Clamping Industry: Clamping Industry (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware of a range of issues which have been raised by members of the public regarding difficulties they have encountered with elements of the clamping industry. While current legislation permits local authorities to clamp vehicles in public places, either directly or by contract with a clamping company, there is no legislation covering clamping on private property. In line with the...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1051 and 1057 together. Statistics show that there were 186 fatalities on Irish roads in 2011. This represents the lowest number of annual fatalities since records began, is a reduction of 26 (or 12.5%) on 2010 and is half the number of fatalities (376) of ten years ago in 2002. The challenge for everyone involved, including legislators, enforcement agencies...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1053, 1060 and 1062 together. The Government set out in the Public Service Reform document published on 17th November 2011 a comprehensive State agency rationalisation programme. The Plan is available on www.per.gov.ie. I refer the Deputy in particular to Appendix IIa which lists all State bodies, including those under the aegis of my Department, which are to...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Funding for Public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) is provided to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for allocation to projects and programmes. In 2011 projects funded included the following - The Luas extension to Citywest and Saggart was completed and opened for service in July 2011; A new Park and Ride facility with 350 spaces was opened for Luas...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (11 Jan 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 planning, design and implementation of individual road projects, including the provision of service areas, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned....