Results 8,421-8,440 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Authority Funding (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1350 and 1351 together.  The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Clamping (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: While Section 101B of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, (inserted by Section 9 of the Dublin Transport Authority (Dissolution) Act, 1987) provides for the clamping and/or towing of vehicles illegally parked on a public road or in local authority car parks, there is currently no regulation of clamping companies nor of the activity of clamping on private land. In line with the commitment contained...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Section 7 of the Road Traffic (No. 2) Act 2011 substitutes section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, provides for mandatory preliminary breath testing at the roadside where injury has been caused following a road traffic collision. It is not discretionary, however a Garda can make decision not to carry out a breath test where it could be injurious to the drivers health or if the drivers is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Issues (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Responsibility for driver licensing has recently transferred from local authorities to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), with the introduction of the plastic card licence in January. The system will operate through three outsourced contracts that the RSA has awarded. While the plastic card production facility is already in operation, the companies involved in providing back office processing...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Since March 2011 the Government has implemented a range of measures to support the tourism industry. VAT has been reduced to 9% on accommodation, restaurant and other services and this lower rate of VAT continues in 2013.  The Visa Waiver Scheme is encouraging visitors from emerging markets to add Ireland to their trip when they are...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (16 Apr 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: Tourist Accommodation (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I have no funding available to my Department for a programme such as that suggested by the Deputy.  I should also point out that both the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) and Fáilte Ireland estimate that there is currently excess capacity in hotel accommodation in Ireland.    I should also point out that both the Irish Hotels Federation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Organisations (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the High Performance programme. The Council also has responsibility for initiating research concerning sport.   The Council also has responsibility for initiating research concerning sport....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Issues (16 Apr 2013)

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.  The planning, design and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Issues (16 Apr 2013)

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.  The planning, design and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (16 Apr 2013)

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.  The planning, design and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Test Regulations (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: At present I do not have any proposals to amend the appeals procedure in relation to driving tests.  The current appeals process, involving a hearing in the District Court, is set out in Section 33(5) of the Road Traffic Act 1961.  The legislation refers to an appeal following a decision under Section 33(4) of the Act, which in turn is a decision on granting or refusing a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1364 and 1365  together.   The scheduling and timetabling of trains are operational matters for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sex Offenders Treatment Programme (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1366 and 1372  together. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  Matters relating to the opening of individual railway stations are day-to-day operational issues for Iarnrod Eireann in the first instance and I have no function in such matters. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Statistics (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Disabled parking permits are issued on behalf of my Department by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA).  Neither I nor my Department have any direct role in this process, and these figures are not available within the Department.  I would advise the Deputy to contact the DDAI and IWA directly on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for the relevant public transport provider in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA 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: Departmental Websites (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1369 to 1371, inclusive, together.   As I have previously stated, the decision to purchase the domain name “Ireland.com” to promote the island of Ireland overseas on the web, and an analysis of a business case in this regard are operational matters for Tourism Ireland Limited and its Board. I understand that the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 4, which I answered on 27 March 2013 and a copy of which follows. The position is unchanged.Dáil Question No: 4 To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to supply the public transport passenger with a more diverse bus service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Timmy Dooley. For...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Issues (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: In January of this year, a centralised National Driver Licensing Service under the Road Safety Authority (RSA) came into effect.  The legislation to give authority over driver licensing to the RSA was passed in 2012. The new licensing system involves three outsourced contracts, managed by a specialist unit based in RSA headquarters in Ballina.  The outsourced elements...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Regulation (16 Apr 2013)

Leo Varadkar: While Chapter 6 of my Department’s Traffic Signs Manual (2010) provides that a Road Authority shall, when giving consideration to providing warning signs under section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, consult with the owner of the electrical cables concerned in order to agree the safe height to be displayed on such warning signs, road traffic legislation does not provide for minimum...