Results 8,801-8,820 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (18 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: 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. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (18 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As the matter raised is an operational matter for the tourism agencies, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Sick Leave (18 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in Table 1. Table 1   Details 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees 607.66 496.56 446.63 363.36 Average uncertified sick days taken per employee 1.06 0.92 0.85 0.73 Total number of certified sick days taken by employees 5,918.37 6,546.19     5,117.51...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Bodies (18 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: There are a number of bodies under the aegis of my Department which have regulatory functions. These include: - The Road Safety Authority has responsibility for a range of road safety regulatory functions. - The National Transport Authority which now includes the function of taxi regulation. - The Railway Safety Commission is charged with oversight of the safety of railway...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (19 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Article 13 of S.I. No. 182/1997: Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997, as amended, provides for the offence of cycling on a footway. The offence is currently dealt with by way of summons to court and following conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of €1,000 for a first offence. Liability for damages following a road traffic collision, be it...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Maintenance Issues (19 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.  The carrying out of works on these roads is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The selection and prioritisation of road works is also...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Issues (19 Jun 2013)

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 compilation and analysis of road safety collision statistics.  I have referred the Deputy's question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Search and Rescue Service (19 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The current contract for helicopter search and rescue services was signed by the then Minister for Transport in July 2010. The contract came into effect on the 1st July 2012, the Services Start Date, and will be in place for 10 years. There is an option to extend the contract for a period, or periods, of up to an additional 3 years for each or all bases. Under the new contract the first...

Topical Issue Debate: Jobseeker's Allowance Payments (25 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, who is unavailable. The jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative employment. It is a fundamental qualifying condition for these schemes that a person must be available for full-time work. Under...

Topical Issue Debate: Jobseeker's Allowance Payments (25 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I understand where the Deputy is coming from. There used to be an anomaly where Sunday was not counted as a working day and no matter how much one earned on the day, it was not assessed in the means test. The Minister for Social Protection has corrected that anomaly and the effect is that those who were beneficiaries of it in the past and who worked it into their weekly spending had their...

Topical Issue Debate: Marine Safety (25 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The safety of all fishing vessels, with the safety of merchant ships, passenger vessels and leisure craft, is the responsibility of my Department, chiefly through the work of the Marine Survey Office which oversees the survey and certification of vessels in accordance with the relevant international and domestic legislation. All fishing vessels, regardless of size, are required to carry a...

Topical Issue Debate: Marine Safety (25 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I share the Deputies' concerns about the shocking loss of life at sea in recent years. They mentioned the Tit Bonhomme, the Pere Charles and the recent tragic events off the coast of Waterford. The current position is not acceptable. I have reviewed all the reports of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board and they make for harrowing reading. Deputy Dessie Ellis mentioned Iceland which...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Commemorative Events (25 Jun 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 response is not received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Marine Safety (25 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has been working with both the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Bord Iascaigh Mhara on the legislative and financial supports for a series of maritime safety measures focused on the fishing community, including the mandatory usage of Personal Locator Beacons.  This has involved complex work which is now nearing completion.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (25 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister I do not confer such recognition on any airport whether it is domestic, trans-Atlantic, European, etc.  I am, however, very pleased at the significant increase in flights and seats between Shannon and North America this year and am confident that this will grow further.  I am also keen to see Shannon secure routes from Russia and Asia should the commercial conditions be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Maintenance Issues (25 Jun 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. Noting the above position, I have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Funding (25 Jun 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.  This includes responsibility for the recognition of sporting organisations as National Governing Bodies of sport and the allocation of funding to those bodies. As this question is a matter for the Irish Sports Council, I have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Services (25 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is an operational matter for Dublin Bus and I have forwarded 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: Dublin Bus Services (25 Jun 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The matter was recently brought to my attention.  However, 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 enforcement in relation to road transport matters, and I understand that the matter has already been raised directly with that agency.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (25 Jun 2013)

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. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.