Results 5,861-5,880 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 569 to 571, inclusive, together. EU Regulations regarding motorcycle standards are under discussion in the EU at present. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) represents my Department at these discussions and I am informed that the proposals relate only to vehicle standards, not to the vehicle's use or the driver, and specify the standards to be applied to new...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this particular question, i.e. the possibility of the Irish Aviation Authority employing or upskilling air traffic controllers based at Galway Airport, is a matter for the Irish Aviation 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 — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (2 Nov 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. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy will recall that in 2008 my predecessor postponed until 2011 making a decision on the separation of Cork and Shannon airports as envisaged under the State Airports Act 2004. It thus falls on me now to consider the future of the airports. I have consulted Dublin, Cork and Shannon airport authorities on this question and their unanimous view is that there is no support for...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The expenditure provisions for my Department are set out in the Revised Estimates Volume, Vote 32 as published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department's Gross allocation for 2011 is €2,357m. My Department's total Gross expenditure to the end of October will be €1,420m. My Department is actively monitoring its expenditure in accordance with the Estimates and...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is not paying rent in respect of properties in Co. Westmeath

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Bilateral arrangements between Ireland and the UK on the mutual recognition of driving disqualification, under Article 15.4 of an EU Convention, came into operation on 28th January 2010. However, the enforcement of road traffic offences in the UK and the associated sanctions are a matter for the authorities in that jurisdiction.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Policy in relation to the regional harbours, operating under the Harbours Act 1946, published in the Government's Ports Policy Statement in 2005, is that the continued operation of these harbours under the outdated provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance and that most of these harbours would best achieve their potential through their transfer to...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Regarding pleasure craft (including personal watercraft and fast powered craft) being operated in Irish waters, the requirements in relation to the wearing of personal flotation devices (PFD) are set out in the Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005 [S.I. No. 921 of 2005]. Under the regulations, a person on a pleasure craft (other than a personal...

Ferry Services (3 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. I share their concerns and their disappointment regarding this development. Neither the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport nor any of its agencies has any function in respect of or, more pertinently, finance for the subsidisation or provision of ferry services for this or any other route. Following the suspension of the service offered...

Ferry Services (3 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy McCarthy was absolutely correct when he stated that rising fuel costs have not been of assistance in this matter. The difficulty we face with regard to ferry and airline services is that fuel costs are going to rise in the long term. Such costs may fluctuate but their long-term trajectory will be upwards. When new environmental regulations relating to the sulphur content of fuels,...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Nov 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.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 is capital budget, the assessment and...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Electronic payslips have been in operation for employees of my Department since September 2008.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of the material requested is a matter for the agencies themselves. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the agencies concerned for their direct response. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten working days, please advise my private office.

Written Answers — Local Improvements Scheme: Local Improvements Scheme (8 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for the Local Improvements Scheme (LIS) and the Local Improvements Scheme Memorandum, which issued in February 2002, sets out the terms and conditions for the payment of LIS grants. Under the Scheme, grants are provided to county councils for the construction and improvement of non-public roads. The administration of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Legislation to provide for the roadworthiness testing of motor caravans in accordance with mandated EU standards is in preparation in my Department and will be finalised in the near future. This legislation will be in line with National Car Test requirements but, due to the broad spectrum of types and sizes of this vehicle, type testing will be carried out at Commercial Vehicle Test Centres,...

Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (8 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Regulations governing the use of traffic signals specify the sequence in which red, amber and green signals must be displayed. Irish regulations do not provide for the use of amber in combination with red, immediately in advance of the green signal, to alert drivers to prepare for the green signal, as is done in the UK. The change in regulations proposed by the Deputy would appear to have...

Written Answers — Local Improvements Scheme: Local Improvements Scheme (8 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The local authorities that did not submit all relevant documents requested in RLR 2/2011 by the stated deadline are: Donegal County Council Galway County Council Kildare County Council Limerick County Council Longford County Council Mayo County Council Westmeath County Council.

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (8 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Sports Capital Programme an allocation of €30,000 was made to the organisation referred to by the Deputy in 2006 towards the costs of floodlighting, ball-stop netting and the redevelopment of toilet facilities. All of this funding has been drawn down. No decision has been made on the timing of the next round of the Programme. The club might consider contacting the Sustainability...