Results 5,921-5,940 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Driving Licences (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: It is included in the existing paper licence. If it is not included in the Deputy's, it should be; it is in mine. It states I must wear corrective lenses. I have since had laser surgery and no longer need them, although I have yet to have my licence amended.

Driving Licences (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I do not know, but I will find out.

Driving Licences (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I hope there is because someone who requires glasses to drive should wear them.

Road Network (9 Nov 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 implementation of individual national road schemes, including toll roads, is a matter for the National Roads Authority. In particular, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, make toll by-laws and enter into toll agreements with...

Road Network (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The proposals for additional tolls on the M50, for using the Jack Lynch tunnel and in other places were originally made in the local government efficiency review report last year. No decisions have been made on the matter which is still open to consideration by the Government. As I have said several times, if it was to happen, it would not happen for a number of years and would require EU...

Road Network (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I am not sure what the Deputy says is entirely true because port traffic has increased as a result of the rise in exports. I will take the matter under advisement. It is an option and I will certainly give it some consideration.

Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to capital expenditure on transport outside the major Dublin projects. Funding for all transport capital projects for the next five years will be determined in the context of the capital review which will be published tomorrow. I will announce my Department's plans for capital expenditure immediately thereafter.

Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: This is a matter which, ultimately, must be decided at the North-South Ministerial Council next week. What I can say is that arising from the St. Andrews Agreement, the Government is committed to co-funding the construction of the A5 through Northern Ireland to Derry, thus improving access to Letterkenny and north Donegal. We remain politically committed to the project and expect some work...

Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Perhaps Deputy Dooley did not hear me correctly. I stated that we remain politically committed to the project and expect work to commence during the lifetime of the 2012-2016 capital programme. That is neither shelving nor mothballing. However, the commitment of €560 million over the next four or five years is an enormous and difficult commitment to honour given the financial situation we...

Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The situation we face North and South of the Border is difficult. I spent the bank holiday weekend in Belfast and one of the major issues being discussed when I was there was a decision of the Northern Ireland Executive, which includes members of Sinn Féin, to close the accident and emergency department at Belfast City Hospital. These are the kind of decisions being made North and South of...

Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: -----relative to the position it takes here.

Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Ellis states that his party does not have fiscal control in the Six Counties. We do not have fiscal controls in the 26 Counties either.

Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: This country is entirely dependent on the kindness of strangers, the IMF and the EU, to fund its budget deficit and pay its public servants and pensions. That is the situation we are in. In that context, difficult decisions must be made.

Road Network (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Within the emergency management framework structure, the lead Department for severe weather is the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Following that Department's review of the overall emergency response to last winter's snow, ice and flooding, 62 recommendations were made impacting on various Departments. Of the recommendations, nine directly affect areas in...

Road Network (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I will discuss the proposal with my officials and the Minister, Deputy Hogan. Deputy Butler might do the same. It was not his fault, but this issue should have been raised with the Minister's Department rather than mine. His proposal has merit.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: 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 examining the options available. The Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 enabled the granting of contracts for public service obligation (PSO) services on a direct award basis to Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann in...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 33 together. The situation regarding employment in Dun Laoghaire harbour remains unchanged since my response to the Deputy's oral PQ on the matter on 29 September last. Stena Line, as an independent commercial company, has taken a decision to introduce greater efficiencies and reduce their overall operating overheads. The number of passengers and cars...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I welcome the Smarter Transport Bill 2011 which the Deputy recently published. The Bill makes provision for local authorities to make bye laws for the provision and use of charging bays on public roads for electrically powered and plug-in hybrid vehicles and for the control and regulation of parking by car club vehicles on public roads. I believe the Deputy's Bill is important as it will, if...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (9 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The funding referred to by the Deputy relates to funding provided through the Dormant Accounts Fund for the appointment of Sports Inclusion Disability Officers (SIDOs) in Local Sports Partnerships. The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government has overall responsibility for dormant accounts spending. The funding through my Department was an element of a larger set of...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (9 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 its capital budget, the assessment and...