Results 34,741-34,760 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (14 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Matters relating to the re-opening, or alternatives uses for, unused rail lines are a matter for Iarnród Eireann in the first instance. There are currently no plans to re-open the Mullingar to Athlone rail line. The level of funding available for public transport investment from 2012 to 2016 will be dependent on the outcome of the review of capital expenditure which is being overseen by the...

Written Answers — Tourist Attractions: Tourist Attractions (14 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The management of inland waterways is a matter for Waterways Ireland, a cross-border body established under the Good Friday Agreement. Matters relating to Waterways Ireland are the responsibility of the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. In the context of the development of tourism infrastructure, the matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have...

Written Answers — Driver Licensing: Driver Licensing (14 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The standards to be met by those wishing to receive Certificates of Professional Competence (CPCs) are set out in the European Communities (Vehicle Driver Certificates of Competence) (No. 2) Regulations of 2008. These Regulations constitute the transposition into Irish law of EU requirements. The CPC regime is one of a range of measures which are aimed at ensuring higher standards of safety...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (14 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The matters referred to by Deputy fall within the day-to-day responsibilities of the Dublin Airport Authority and I have forwarded the question to the Company for direct reply to him. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if he has not received a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (14 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational one for Tourism Ireland Limited, in the first instance, as the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a tourist destination overseas. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days. I would also draw attention to the Visa Waiver...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (14 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has responsibility for a number of agencies who carry out regulatory functions. These include: - Railway Safety Commission (RSC); - Commission for Aviation Regulation; - National Transport Authority; - Irish Aviation Authority; and - Fáilte Ireland. With the exception of the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR), the administration expenses of these agencies are...

Written Answers — Professional Fees: Professional Fees (14 Sep 2011)

Leo Varadkar: In 2010, my Department estimates that it spent approximately €3 million in respect of a range of professional services including for example consultancy services, IT contracting, legal services and general premises maintenance etc. A 25% reduction in fees therefore might be expected to generate savings of the order of €750,000. The amount of Exchequer funds paid out in professional fees...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (21 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2005 (Fixed Charge Offences) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 135 of 2006), parking in a cycle lane during the operative hours is a fixed charge offence. The amount of the fixed charge, if paid within 28 days from the date the notice issued, is €40 and if paid within the next 28 days is €60. The enforcement of the offence of parking in a cycle lane is a...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (21 Jul 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. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days. The Deputy may wish to know that Fáilte Ireland has arranged to meet the person referred to in the question on Tuesday, 26 July. It would not be appropriate for me...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (21 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I am not aware of any current proposal by Bus Éireann or Iarnród Éireann to increase fares. Iarnród Éireann fares were increased by an average of 3% in February last, following approval by the National Transport Authority (NTA). The recently published CIÉ accounts for 2010 showed a deficit of €53.597 million for 2010. In the context of such figures, and the fact that the state...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (21 Jul 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. Within its capital budget, the assessment...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (21 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Information in relation to the number of scheduled flights using Cork Airport on an annual basis for the past five years is included in the Dublin Airport Authority's (DAA) Annual Report, a copy of which is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas each year and which is available in the Library of the Houses. The annual accounts are also available from www.daa.ie. With regard to the...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (21 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As measures to encourage flight cargo out of Cork Airport are the responsibility of the Cork Airport Authority, I have forwarded the question to the authority for direct reply to the Deputy. I ask the Deputy to contact my office if he has not received a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Railway Stations: Railway Stations (21 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as the Kildare Route Project Phase 2, comes under the remit of the NTA....

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (21 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority 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 supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (21 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to the companies concerned for direct reply. He should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Light Rail Projects: Light Rail Projects (21 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 735 to 737, inclusive, together. I am not in a position to give details in relation to the projected cost of these projects. The publication of such commercially sensitive information before the completion of the competitive procurement processes would prejudice the State's capacity to derive maximum value for money in respect of these projects. In addition,...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (21 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the Railway Procurement Agency. I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for direct reply. He should contact my office if he has not received a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (21 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The proposed merger of the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency is currently being examined by my Department. No decision has been taken on the status of the employees concerned.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (21 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The proposed merger of the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency is currently being examined by my Department. Consultation with employees and their representatives will be a matter for the Implementation team for the merger, when it is established.