Results 9,061-9,080 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Action 92 of the Road Safety Strategy 2013 - 2020 provides that we will 'legislate for the extension of fixed charge notices to other offences including those related to cyclists and drivers' hours'.   The completion date for this Action is the second quarter of 2014 and will involve prescribing those offences in Fixed Charge Regulations to be made by me. As all road...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Clamping (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: While Section 101B of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, regulates the clamping and/or towing of vehicles by local authorities or their agents on public roads or 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 in the Programme for Government to “legislate to regulate the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: In 2012, I established a Group to carry out a review of speed limits. That Group, which is chaired by my Department, includes representatives of the local authorities, the Automobile Association, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority as well as the National Transport Authority.  Significant progress has been achieved and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Road Traffic Act 2004 established default speed limits that apply to defined categories of roads and which can only be changed by local authorities through the making of special speed limit bye-laws. Section 9 of that Act sets out the range of Special Speed Limits that may be set by such authorities through such bye-laws.  Statutory responsibility for setting Special Speed...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The aviation industry is a key enabler of economic growth so it is important that there is a clear policy framework in place to facilitate its continued development and to optimise the contribution the sector can make to the Irish economy. To this end, I have launched a process to develop a new national aviation policy.  As a first step, my Department and the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourist Accommodation (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939-2011, Fáilte Ireland has specific functions in relation to the mandatory registration and grading of certain types of tourist accommodation, however, there is no mandatory requirement for the registration of motor home campsites.  Rather it has been the traditional practice that tourists with motor homes are accommodated within...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax Collection (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1618 and 1619 together. There are no plans at present to introduce a pay-as-you-go road user charge for HGVs in Ireland. Such a decision would have cross-Governmental implications and could only be taken after extensive consideration. However, the National Roads Authority has carried out preliminary work on the issue of HGV road...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (18 Sep 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: Road Improvement Schemes (18 Sep 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.   Within its capital...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roadside Memorials (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Under Section 13 (10) (a) (iv) (i) of the Roads Act 1993, a person may not place or deposit any material or thing on a public road without lawful authority or the consent of the road authority.  This would include any roadside gravestone or memorial. In relation to regional and local roads, the local authority is the relevant road authority whilst in regard to national roads, it is the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The objective of Government is to ensure a system of public transport throughout the country that is as efficient and as widespread as possible. In relation to the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts for the bus market, this falls under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA).  The NTA is currently considering how best publicly subvented bus services will be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The question of airport capability of accepting an A380 is a matter for each individual airport, in terms of operations and the Irish Aviation Authority in respect of aviation safety oversight. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Irish Aviation Authority, Dublin Airport Authority, and Shannon Airport Authority, agencies within my remit, for direct reply. Please advise my private...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Any device that poses a distraction or impairs the act of driving is a cause for concern. Accordingly, I have asked the Road Safety Authority to examine and monitor the development of such technology and in particular how it is being managed in other countries. Following receipt of the Authority's advice I will consult with the Garda Siochána when deciding whether or not to ban the use...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States of America have been in contact this year with the Irish Coast Guard. This contact was initiated by NASA with a view to ascertaining the Search and Rescue capabilities available in Ireland's Search and Rescue Region.  This is a standard approach from organisations such as NASA as they need to factor in these...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1628, 1678 and 1679 together. The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I do not propose to ask the NTA to extend the deadline for submissions to the consultation on the Draft Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018 . I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority Staff (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The new Chief Executive Officer of the Road Safety Authority will be appointed following a Public Appointments Service competition under Section 17 (4) of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Staff (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This 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: Air Services Provision (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The air transport market between Ireland and North America is a highly liberalised and competitive market. The fact that all four of the big US international carriers currently fly into Ireland is testament to this. The market has also grown significantly in 2013 with tourist visits to Ireland from North America up over 18% so far this year and overall seat capacity up over 25%. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The information sought by the Deputy comprises data covering a nine-year period which will require to be collated. The data in respect of Coast Guard callouts  in County Wicklow will require to be isolated from the overall records. This exercise will take some time to complete but I have asked my officials to progress it as quickly as feasible and I will forward the information to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Development Projects (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised by the Deputy in relation to the provision of an additional runway at Dublin Airport falls within the operational responsibilities of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and I have referred the question to the company for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten working...