Results 8,201-8,220 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bridge Projects (20 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Firstly I would like to explain that the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Louth County Council and its project partners submitted the Narrow Water Bridge project for Interreg IVA funding and the project was approved for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (20 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: While no official statistics are available on visits from Londoners to Ireland, and it would not be feasible to collect such micro data to a sufficiently robust standard, the Central Statistics Office recently reported 2,774,200 visits from Great Britain to Ireland in 2012. With regard to the cost of advertising campaigns undertaken last year, this is an...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (21 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Government decided in 2011 to centralise driver licence provision, following an examination of the options for driver licensing which found that a centralised system would offer enhanced security and consistency, and be more efficient and cost-effective. The Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012 provides for the RSA, not the NRA, to become the central driver...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Statistics (21 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The matters raised are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland.  I have referred the Deputy's questions to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if a reply is not received with ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Anti-Social Behaviour (21 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for Irish Rail and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (21 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: At the present time, cars are legally required to undergo a National Car Test four years after the date of registration. Further tests are required after six years, eight years and ten years. From June 2011, cars older than ten years old are required to undergo annual tests. I have no plans to alter this approach.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme (21 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: No decision has been taken on the timing of the next round of the Sports Capital Programme.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (21 Feb 2013)

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 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Airport Authority (21 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised by the Deputy regarding the Dublin Airport Authority's (DAA) contracts of employment falls within the operational and management responsibilities of DAA and I have referred the question to the company for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport (21 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 276 together.  There are no plans to abolish the Rural Transport Programme, RTP. On the contrary the aim is to strengthen the programme by ensuring a more efficient delivery structure, by maximising integration with other state transport services and by making  the programme a sustainable part of the public transport system. This is in...

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: They wanted to tax the pension levy.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Legislation (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 743 and 744 together. My Department is currently engaged with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on the drafting of a new Road Traffic Bill.  Neither the issue of time-limits within which drug and alcohol testing must take place nor the question of making leaving the scene of an accident where damage to persons or property occurs an indictable...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (26 Feb 2013)

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 contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: An overall budget of €9.133 million has been allocated  to the Rural Transport Programme by my Department  for 2013.  I understand that  €129,353 of the 2013 budget has been allocated to Westmeath Rural Community Transport  from January to June, 2013, with a further proposed allocation of €129,353 from July to December....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Following a Government decision, the driver licensing service has been centralised under the Road Safety Authority (RSA). With effect from 12th January 2013, the RSA is now the sole driver licensing authority for the State. The RSA has decided to operate this function under the title National Driver Licence Service. The service will be provided through three service contracts and by the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The development and promotion of particular tourism niches and markets are operational matters for the tourism agencies.  However, with regard to the matter raised by the Deputy, I am advised that approximately two out of every five visitors to Ireland are under 35 years of age, clearly demonstrating the importance of younger visitors for Irish tourism and justifying the tourism...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The regulation of the taxi industry, including issues pertaining to the transfer of small public service vehicle (SPSV)  licences, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.  Since January 2009 SPSV licences, including vehicle licences for taxis, wheelchair accessible taxis, hackneys, wheelchair...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Current legislation is clear in relation to the testing of drivers for the presence of alcohol. No legislative provision has been made for Garda discretion. The Road Traffic Acts provide for the mandatory preliminary breath testing of drivers by the Gardaí in certain circumstances, including collisions where death or injury has occurred. The Acts also provide for the testing of drivers...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (26 Feb 2013)

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 — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Regulations regarding new vehicle categories for driver licensing purposes which came into effect on 19 January 2013 are set out in the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers)(Amendment)(No.2) Regulations of 2011 (S.I. No. 483 of 2011).  These represent the transposition into Irish law of EU legislation, specifically parts of Directive 2006/126/EC.  Category W is defined as 'work...