Results 34,841-34,860 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (12 Jul 2011)

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 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 and...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (12 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, has a statutory role in encouraging the promotion, development and co-ordination of competitive and recreational sport. The provision of funding to National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of sport is the responsibility of the ISC and is based on ISC criteria. These NGBs then, in turn, provide funding to the relevant sports clubs....

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (12 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Shannon Foynes Port Company, one of the State commercial port companies, is actively engaged in marketing the area as a destination for visiting cruise liners. The company works closely with other development agencies, including Shannon Development and the Cruise Ireland marketing co-operative, in promoting the potential of the area. I am informed that a total of five cruise liners are...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (12 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As the number of persons employed by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is the responsibility of the Authority, I have forwarded the question to the DAA for direct reply to the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if he has not received a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (7 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The company's Annual Report & Financial Statements for year ended 31st December 2010 have recently been published and are available on the CIÉ website at www.cie.ie and copies have also been placed in the Dáil Library. Exchequer funds for subvention and infrastructure paid to CIÉ in 2010 relate entirely to the subsidiaries and are outlined in note 9 to the 2010 Accounts. Total...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (7 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009 responsibility for the delivery of an integrated transport system, including Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) is a matter for the National Transport Authority. Subsequently on 31st March 2010 an Order was signed by the then Minister extending the functions of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (7 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I appoint directors to the board of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the State Airports Act 2004 and Section 22 of the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998, as amended by paragraph 9 of the Schedule to the Act of 2004, as the need arises. There are thirteen director positions on the board of the DAA, four of whom are...

Written Answers — Tourism Development: Tourism Development (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 35 together. The Government recognises that the tourism sector is very important to all the regions of Ireland. It generates an estimated employment of 170,000, spread throughout the country and much of this in rural areas. The Government's recent Jobs Initiative has placed tourism nationally and regionally at the heart of our economic recovery,...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Government's recent Jobs Initiative has placed tourism at the heart of our economic recovery. The decision to reduce the VAT rate on a range of labour-intensive tourism services from 13.5% to 9% with effect from 1 July 2011 is a major concession providing an opportunity to enhance further the competitiveness of our tourism product. The Government has also significantly reduced the...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, funding is allocated towards the provision of sports facilities at national, regional and local level. It is the primary vehicle for promoting the development of sports and recreational facilities in Ireland. The Programme has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland with...

Written Answers — Sports Development: Sports Development (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Sports Council and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland have an excellent working relationship and engage in a number of joint initiatives such as the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport and the biennial All Island Sports Development Conference. Coaching Ireland, which has the lead role in the development of coaching in Ireland, operates on an all island basis....

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: In my announcements of the 8th and 24th June respectively I have clarified the terms of reference and the membership of the Taxi Regulation Review Group, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. The review will enable necessary further reforms of the sector to allow consumers to have confidence in the taxi system while also ensuring that legitimate and competent...

Written Answers — Stadium Projects: Stadium Projects (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: At its meeting on Tuesday 21 June, the Government approved my proposals for the development of the National Sports Campus at Abbotstown/Blanchardstown on an incremental basis. In particular I have asked the National Sports Campus Development Authority (NSCDA) to proceed with the development of a National Indoor Training Arena, which would include an Indoor Track. I am acutely aware of the...

Written Answers — Suicide Prevention: Suicide Prevention (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Investment in sport is based on our belief that it is an important part of our individual, community and national life. It can make a major contribution to some of our most pressing social and health issues, including mental health and suicide prevention. We all appreciate the important role that sport plays in our society in promoting healthy lifestyles, creating a sense of identity and...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Finance has responsibility for the National Asset Management Agency and Minister Noonan has answered Parliamentary Questions on this matter in the Dáil recently. For details of NAMA's commitment to contributing to broader social and economic objectives, such as those set out in the Deputy's question, I would refer the Deputy to questions...

Written Answers — Tourism Policy: Tourism Policy (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: In July 2010, my predecessor established a Tourism Renewal Implementation Group, which she chaired. This group has not met since my appointment. I have no plans to reconvene the group. The Programme for Government 2011 sets out Government's priorities for tourism policy, including commitments on access, marketing, visas and product development. The Government's Jobs Initiative delivered...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I am of course aware of the contents of the Report mentioned. Under EU law and the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended, existing public service obligation (PSO) bus services can be procured by the NTA through direct award contracts and any other new subvented services must be procured by way of open tendering. The NTA is obliged under the Public Services Contracts to ensure that...

Written Answers — Tourism Development: Tourism Development (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 177 to 181, inclusive, together. I have an ongoing dialogue with major stakeholders in the tourism sector. The Jobs Initiative recognises the vital contribution of tourism to employment, economic activity and exports. The reduced VAT rate on a range of labour-intensive tourism services from 13.5% to 9% is a major concession providing an opportunity...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: CIÉ Tours International, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann and is registered in the United States of America. The main business of CIÉ Tours International, Inc. is to retail coach tour packages on behalf of CIÉ Tours. The accounts for CIÉ Tours International, Inc. are consolidated into the financial statements of Córas Iompair Éireann. Summary revenue and...

Written Answers — Regional Airports: Regional Airports (6 Jul 2011)

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 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 and...