Results 6,021-6,040 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Railway Stations: Railway Stations (22 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The issues raised are operational matters for Iarnród Éireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (22 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 — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (22 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has used a number of options for obtaining specialist expertise which is not available in-house. This includes the engagement of a small number of information communications technology contractors and some specialist financial expertise. A short-term pilot arrangement with Irish Rail is also in place. A member of my Department is seconded to Irish Rail and an engineer from...

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (22 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test. The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. The testing function is carried out by Applus+, since January...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (22 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: There are no former holders of the Office of Attorney General serving on any State boards under the aegis of my Department.

Road Transport Bill 2011: Order for Second Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Road Transport Bill 2011: Second Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The Bill is being brought to the House as a matter of urgency to deal with a number of issues arising from the coming into force of EU regulations on road transport operators on 4 December. I thank the House for facilitating me in this regard. To a large degree, the issues arise from the mechanics of the regulations replacing a previous EU...

Road Transport Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Ministers of State at the Department would be offended.

Road Transport Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I thank all those who contributed to the debate. As speakers made a diverse range of comments, I shall confine my closing remarks to issues pertinent to the Bill. Several Deputies pointed out that the Bill had been published late in the day and that late legislation was not good legislation. I accept some criticism in this regard and apologise to the House that the Bill has come so late in...

Road Transport Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: We may discuss this in more detail tomorrow when we discuss the amendment. The Cabinet met today to talk about the budget and will meet tomorrow to talk about the jobs strategy. So I will not have an opportunity to speak to the Cabinet about this matter. The issue of expunging convictions for people who describe themselves as political prisoners is beyond the competence of this Bill. If...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (23 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the National Roads Authority (NRA) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007). The contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes, including the M6,...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (23 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational one for Tourism Ireland Limited as the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland and asked them to reply directly to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Irish Coast Guard: Irish Coast Guard (23 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Providing a suitable building for the Irish Coast Guard volunteer unit in Killybegs to enable it to operate in a safe and efficient manner remains a priority for my Department. Every effort will be made within the context of the funding provided to the Department in the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme 2012 to 2016 to complete the development.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (23 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The detailed pension payments for chief executives of State agencies are available from the relevant agencies. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the agencies for which I have responsibility for their direct response. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten working days, please advise my private office.

Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I move amendment No. 1: In page 6, subsection (1), between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following: "(h) an offence under the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008,". The offence proposed to be added here is on the advice of the Attorney General's office. It is an additional one in the category of serious offences and relates to trafficking for the purposes of sexual or other...

Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The amendment applies to politically motivated offences which are covered by and occurred before the Good Friday Agreement. I point out that in the context of this Road Transport Bill we are talking about very serious offences. We are not talking about membership of the IRA. Somebody convicted for membership of the IRA is not precluded from holding a haulage licence nor is somebody who...

Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I should clarify the provisions of the Bill. There is an obligation to notify the Minister that convictions exist for these offences. It does not automatically preclude somebody from being given a licence. Having been notified, the Minister can consider particular convictions that affect good repute. If he or she decides to refuse or withdraw a licence, applicants must be notified, at...

Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: 1916 may not have but the struggle from 1918 to 1922 did. What is absolutely certain is that the violence - or armed struggle as it is called - which occurred more recently never had the democratic legitimacy of the people of the North or South of the island.

Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Ultimately, unlike the struggle of the 1920s it was unsuccessful. Partition is now a fact and Stormont is back in operation, which makes a very big difference.

Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I draw the Deputies' attention to some of the offences about which we are speaking. They include rape-----