Results 5,361-5,380 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Departmental Functions: Departmental Functions (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy will be pleased to hear that senior Departmental officials have been in contact with Mr McIlroy to see if a reception could be arranged.

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Earlier this month I set out the terms of reference for the taxi regulation review in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. The review will address a wide range of issues relating to the taxi sector and will allow for consultation with all the stakeholders, including the taxi industry and consumers. On Friday last, I made a further announcement concerning the membership...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No 2) Act 1977 sets out the statutory framework within which powers are delegated to Ministers of State. Under the relevant legislation, the powers of Ministers of State are subject to the superintendence of a Minister of Government and can be revoked at any time. The following extracts are particularly relevant: (d) every statutory power and duty...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród 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 — Rail Services: Rail Services (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 553 and 558 together. Decisions relating to the re-opening of rail lines are a matter for Iarnród Eireann in the first instance. The company has advised me that it continues to engage with the Port Company and potential customers, to establish if a viable commercial case exists to reopen the line. Iarnród Eireann is keen to ensure that the zinc from Pallas...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I have not yet considered proposals to introduce legislation regarding alternative operators taking over existing or redundant railway lines. The purchase or lease of existing or redundant railway lines is a matter for CIE. I have referred the Deputy's question to CIE 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 (28 Jun 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 — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The following table shows the private car rates payable to Ministers/Ministers of State. Rates per Kilometres Official Motor Travel in a calendar year Engine Capacity up to 1200cc Engine Capacity 1201cc to 1500cc Engine Capacity 1501cc to 2000cc Engine Capacity 2001cc and over Up to 6437km 39.12 cent 46.25 cent 59.07 cent 70.89 cent 6438km and over 21.22 cent 23.62 cent 28.46 cent 34.15...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As mentioned in the Deputy's question, I have previously welcomed the initiative Dublin Port Company has taken to develop a masterplan for the future development of the port over a 20-30 year timeframe. It is in line with international best practice for the long term planning of port infrastructure and is consistent with efforts to improve integrated transport planning more generally. It is...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Any study on the possible impact of changes in the school transport system on local traffic volume and safety such as that referred to by the Deputy would be a matter for the appropriate local authority, in this case Donegal County Council. I would suggest that the Deputy raise the matter with them. As the school transport services comes under the remit of the Department of Education and...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Year Number of...

Written Answers — Salvage Regulations: Salvage Regulations (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 to 563, inclusive, together. The Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993 governs Salvage and Wreck issues. The day to day operation of the Act is the responsibility of the relevant Receiver of Wreck, who is an official of the Revenue Commissioners (Customs). Salvage services for a state owned vessel are regulated in law in the same manner as other...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme . The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting this, I have referred the Deputy's question to the...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Operational matters relating to Luas services are a matter for the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA). I have referred the Deputy's question to the RPA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I am currently finalising proposals for the merger of the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA). A public consultation on the proposal closed at the end of May 2011 and my Department is currently examining the submissions made as part of that consultation process with a view to submitting proposals to Government. It is envisaged that implementation of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to have these issues relating to the merger of the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency examined by a merger implementation team drawn from both bodies. I do not wish to anticipate the outcome of the work to be undertaken by the yet to be established implementation team.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to have these issues relating to merging the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency examined by a merger implementation team that will be drawn from both bodies. I do not wish to anticipate the outcome of the work to be undertaken by the yet to be established implementation team.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Overseeing the LUAS system, planning of new LUAS infrastructure and Metro will be undertaken by the new merged body as determined by the management structure put in place after the merger is implemented. This will be an operational function of the merged body.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: During the work of the Steering Group on the merger of the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) which reported in October 2010, and which included both CEOs and another board member from each organisation, minutes of the Steering group meetings were circulated to staff of both the NRA and the RPA. I have held a public consultation on the Regulatory Impact...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (28 Jun 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The recently published CIE accounts for 2010 showed a deficit of €53.597m for 2010. Within the context of such figures, and the fact that the state subvention to public transport providers will decrease significantly over the next number of years, I highlighted in public comment that the CIE companies will be required to look at further cost savings, service rationalisation and fare...