Results 34,881-34,900 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: There is a recognition within the Programme for Government of the importance of the Rural Transport Programme. My Department is currently exploring efficiencies that can be made by bringing together aspects of the HSE transport arrangements, schools transport, the Rural Transport Programme and other transport services. A pilot scheme study has been carried out, which I will publish shortly....

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

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy is aware, the Government recently announced a comprehensive review of capital spending which is now underway. The review will examine capital proposals across all sectors of the economy to establish a set of priority projects and programmes that will support economic recovery and provide new employment opportunities. The results will form the basis of a new National...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (6 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 Worker...

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

Leo Varadkar: In 2011 Dublin Bus will receive, through the National Transport Authority, an estimated €72.4 million in Exchequer subvention. In the current fiscal environment increased Exchequer funding is not realistic, rather there will be reductions. I support a continuation of the efforts by the company to improve its efficiency and reduce the costs of providing Public Service Obligation services...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The market for air services in the European Union is fully liberalised so it is a matter for the airlines themselves to decide what routes they will serve based on their own commercial judgements. The Government is encouraging the airlines to deliver more tourists to Ireland. The quid pro quo for this will be the suspension of the travel tax and my officials and I have been in discussions...

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

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this particular question, i.e. the number of the numbers of US troops that land at Shannon Airport, is the responsibility of the Dublin Airport Authority, and I have referred the question to that body for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Public Transport (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I have read the Deloitte report. I acknowledge that the subvention for Dublin Bus is lower than that for other European cities but they are not in the financial position in which this country finds itself where we must cut spending significantly. Certainly, if Deputy Boyd Barrett's policies were pursued, by sending the IMF home and pulling out of the bailout, we would probably have to close...

Public Transport (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: It is about efficiency. We are in a situation whereby Dublin Bus must do more with less not simply because of a cut in Government funding, but because of a fall in the number of passengers as well. The numbers are down significantly because of the success of the Luas. This programme is about using the resources more efficiently and delivering services in that way. Essentially, this is...

Public Transport (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Were it not for the money coming from the EU and the IMF we would have to balance the budget this year.

Public Transport (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: We would have to reduce the deficit to zero in one year. Can the Deputy imagine the effect of that on bus services? The only bus and train services in the country would be those which turn a profit, of which there is virtually none. That would be the effect of the Deputy's policies.

Cycle Facilities (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Westport to Achill cycle and walking route also known as the great western greenway has indeed been a great success. Mayo County Council was responsible for initially identifying the route, investigating the feasibility of the route and for the actual delivery of the route. Phase 1 of the project was completed in April 2010, and phases 2 and 3 are expected to be opened by the end of...

Cycle Facilities (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I welcome the Deputy's suggestion. We are willing to do that and I have indicated as much in my reply. However, I am keen to avoid spending hundreds of thousands or even millions of euro on feasibility studies and plans for projects which cannot be paid for or brought through to fruition. I would rather deliver one project and make it happen than carry out studies or consultancy reports on...

Cycle Facilities (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: It is paid for already.

Cycle Facilities (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: In respect of the great western greenway it is important to acknowledge the council's work and especially the co-operation of the landowners and farmers which is essential if one is trying to do a project such as this. The key thing at the end of any feasibility study is the cost. In the case of the great western greenway, the cost was €1.4 million for phase 1 and €1.75 million for...

Road Safety (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Following a competitive tender, the contract for the provision of the national car test service, NCTS, was awarded by the Road Safety Authority to Applus for a ten–year period from 2010 to 2019 and it assumed responsibility for the provision of a national car testing service on 4 January 2010. The contract requires the company to meet a number of specific performance standards in a wide...

Road Safety (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: While I must double-check the position on the Deputy's last question, it is standard practice in most public service contracts of this nature to have such a break clause in the case of failure by a party to uphold its side of the contract. In respect of the first year of the contract, the performance of the company was assessed over the course of the year. This has changed and from this...

Road Safety (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: One point I should have mentioned in my previous reply to Deputy Keating is that performance was measured at 92% which was ahead of the target of 90%. The issue of people receiving notice of renewal has come up several times and was mentioned in committee recently. Consequently, I have undertaken to make contact with the Road Safety Authority and the company to ascertain whether a system...

Tourism Promotion (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Fáilte Ireland was established under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, following the amalgamation of Bord Fáilte Éireann and CERT. Its primary functions are the development of quality tourism product, domestic tourism marketing, tourism standards, enterprise support, capability building and human resource development for the tourism industry. In December 1998, the...

Tourism Promotion (6 Jul 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Tourism Ireland is a North-South Body established under the Good Friday Agreement and it is accountable to the North South Ministerial Council, of which I am a member. At one meeting I had the opportunity to speak to my counterpart and a bilateral meeting is planned in due course. When this issue was initially discussed it was the view of the Government at the time that there would be a...