Results 34,621-34,640 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Proposed new Regulations regarding motorcycle standards are under discussion in the EU at present. I am informed that the proposed Regulations relate only to vehicle standards, not to the vehicle's use or the driver,and specify the standards to be applied to new motorcycles. It presents a legal framework for the type approval and market surveillance of mopeds, motorcycles and quads, which...

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy has asked a number of separate questions, which I will address in order. Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company's publically available annual accounts for 2010 detail that the company spent €230,000 on consultancy fees last year. As the Deputy is aware, the company is currently undergoing a major public consultation and Masterplanning process in relation to the future development of the...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The level of funding for sport will be considered as part of the 2012 Budget process, which is currently underway.

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: There is currently one vacancy on the board of the National Sports Campus Development Authority. A further seven members whose terms of office have expired are continuing to hold office under section 9(8) of the National Sports Campus Development Authority Act, 2006. The appointment of members to the board of the Authority is currently under consideration in my Department. With regard to the...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, tourism was specifically identified in the Good Friday Agreement as one of the key areas for North/South cooperation, and consequently it is one of the sectors on which the North/South Ministerial Council meets in Sectoral format. The Council meets in this format in order to make decisions on common policies and approaches in the area of tourism. It also takes...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Business Cases in respect of Metro North, Luas Line BXD and the Dart Underground are available on the National Transport Authority's website- nationaltransport.ie. A preliminary Business Case for the Dart link to the Airport has been submitted by Irish Rail and this is now being independently assessed by the National Transport Authority. The inclusion of one or more of the large public...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (29 Sep 2011)

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 projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In particular, the statutory power to levy tolls on...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy 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 Government intervention in the market except through public service obligation routes and strict conditions are laid down in EU law for the application of PSOs. The Deputy will also be aware of recent initiatives by the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (29 Sep 2011)

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 projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Furthermore, the statutory power to levy tolls on national...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy has asked a number of separate questions, which I will address in order. Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company's publically available annual accounts for 2010 detail that the company spent €230,000 on consultancy fees last year. As the Deputy is aware, the company is currently undergoing a major public consultation and master-planning process in relation to the future development of...

Written Answers — Driver Licensing: Driver Licensing (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Irish law governing recognition of foreign driving licences operates within the framework of EU driver licensing law. The essential criteria for recognition of foreign licences are, therefore, the existence of testing and licensing regimes in other jurisdictions which meet with EU standards. On this basis, Ireland has arrangements for mutual recognition of driving licences with other EU...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Funding for transport capital projects for the period 2012-2016 will be determined in the context of the capital review currently underway. Once the level of funding available is known the transport investment programme will be finalised. A key priority will be to provide funds to protect existing investment and maintain safety standards. Following this priority will be given to projects...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: A comprehensive review of capital spending is now underway, the results of which will form the basis of the new National Development Plan(NDP). Priorities for funding in the transport sector for the period 2012 -2016 and funding mechanisms will be outlined in the new NDP. The use of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a delivery mechanism for capital investment where appropriate will be...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (29 Sep 2011)

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 is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the above position, I have referred...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: International comparative data on transport costs are not readily available from respected international statistical sources such as Eurostat and the International Transport Forum. My Department has no direct control of transport costs in general but keeps under review costs arising from the services provided through our agencies. Cost competitiveness is a key consideration for Ireland as an...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together. I remain in regular contact with major stakeholders in the tourism sector, including hotels, which keeps me advised of issues of concern to the industry. The Government's Jobs Initiative introduced a new lower VAT rate of 9% from July 1st for a range of tourism services and also significantly reduced the cost of employing people by...

Written Answers — Bóithre Réigiúnacha: Bóithre Réigiúnacha (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Tá feidhm reachtúil ar gach údarás bóthair bóithre réigiúnacha agus áitiúla a fheabhsú agus a chothabháil ina limistéar de réir fhorálacha alt 13 d'Acht na mBóithre, 1993. Is ábhar é don údarás áitiúil iomchuí oibreacha ar bhóithre den chineál seo, maoiniú a chur ar fáil as a cuid acmhainní féin agus forlíonta le deontais bóthair an Stáit. Is ceist í don...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (29 Sep 2011)

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. He should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (29 Sep 2011)

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. She should advise my private office if she does not receive a reply within ten working days.

State Airports (29 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The State Airports Act 2004 provides the framework for the establishment of Shannon and Cork as independent airports. As part of the restructuring process at the time, the boards of Cork and Shannon airports were required to prepare business plans for eventual separation. These plans were necessary in order that the then Ministers for Transport and Finance could be satisfied as to the...