Results 5,061-5,080 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy is aware, the National Recovery Plan, which was published by the previous Government in November, envisaged significantly reduced road investment for the duration of the Plan and therefore the scope for proceeding with major road projects is very limited. The capital investment review that is now planned will form the basis for a new National Development Plan for the period...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as the DART Underground, comes under the remit of the NTA. As regards policy in relation to major capital projects such as DART Underground, the Government has announced a full review of capital...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I have no plans to privatise Dublin Bus. However, in accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government to explore the benefit to the public transport passenger of more diverse bus service provision, I am considering the various options that are currently available as regards achieving greater diversity of bus operators. Under EU law and the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008,...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The reference to the commercial success or failure of Terminal Two at Dublin airport, is a matter that lies within the responsibilities of the Dublin Airport Authority, and I have referred that part of the question to the Company for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if he has not received a reply within ten working days. I do not believe it would be appropriate to...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: A decision has yet to be announced regarding the outcome of the Smarter Travel Areas Competition. The future of this Programme is being considered in the context of the available budget for 2011 and the National Recovery Plan. Dublin City Council will be notified of the outcome of the Drimnagh bid in due course.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (20 Apr 2011)

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

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this particular question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: This is an enforcement matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the Garda Síochána under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. I have no function in the matter. I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be sent to the NTA for a direct response. I would ask the Deputy to advise my Office if he does not receive a response within ten days.

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

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The carrying out of works on these roads, including the roads mentioned, is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. With regard to damage...

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

Leo Varadkar: I am supportive of Dublin Bus's efforts to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness under the Network Direct programme, entailing a redesign of their PSO bus network that is being implemented at present and which is due to be completed by mid 2011. However the details of the programme are a matter for the company itself in conjunction with the NTA under the terms of its PSO contract and...

Written Answers — Driver Licences: Driver Licences (21 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Ireland has mutual driver licensing exchange arrangements with a number of countries, including fellow EU Member States. However, because of the considerable differences in licensing rules, we do not have an exchange arrangement with the USA. A person holding a US driver licence who takes up residence here must meet Irish licence requirements in exactly the same way as an Irish licence...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (21 Apr 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 visitor destination overseas, working together with Fáilte Ireland where appropriate. 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...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (21 Apr 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 — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (21 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The issues raised are the direct responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (3 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each local 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 is also a...

Written Answers — Rights of Seafarers: Rights of Seafarers (3 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The terms and conditions of employment on board vessels are a matter primarily for the State in which a ship is registered. A comprehensive body of Irish employment rights legislation governs the conditions of employment of workers on board vessels under the Irish flag. This would include legislation dealing with minimum wages. If a vessel is not registered in Ireland, then the Port State...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (3 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) was adopted at the 94th International Labour Organisation Convention on the 23rd February 2006 in Geneva. The Convention seeks to ensure that the employment and social rights of seafarers on Irish ships are fully implemented. Ireland, along with other ILO Member States, must bring the Convention into force via national legislation. This obligation...

Written Answers — Port Inspections: Port Inspections (3 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Port State Control inspections onboard foreign flagged ships in Irish ports are carried out under the auspices of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on port state control and EU Directives. These inspections are carried out to check for compliance with International Law. A "New Inspection Regime" (NIR) for port state control commenced on 1 January 2011 and is based on 100% of...

Written Answers — Rights of Seafarers: Rights of Seafarers (3 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The terms and conditions of employment on board vessels are a matter primarily for the State, known as the Flag State, in which a ship is registered. My Department does not have responsibility for the non-payment of wages on board foreign flagged ships which is a matter for the Flag State. A comprehensive body of Irish employment rights legislation governs the conditions of employment of...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (3 May 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 construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In addition, the statutory power to...