Results 9,141-9,160 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority (24 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue of bus stop improvement is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport provider.  I have referred 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: Road Safety Strategy (24 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am fully supportive of all initiatives that promote the health and well being of students. Road safety is, of course, a factor in schemes that in any way involve interaction with road traffic.   The Road Safety Authority has overall responsibility for education and awareness programmes related to road safety, including the distribution of and encouragement to use high...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority (24 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The enforcement of EU Regulation 1371/2007 on rail passenger rights and obligations is a matter for the National Transport Authority. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the authority 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 (24 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 in Dublin, this falls under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA).  The NTA is currently considering how best publicly subvented bus...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority (24 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue of bus stop improvement is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport provider.  I have referred 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: Education and Training Provision (24 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The statutory functions of Fáilte Ireland are set out in the National Tourism Development Authority Act.  In fulfilling its statutory role Fáilte Ireland carries out the necessary research to establish education and training needs at national level and disseminates these to the Institutes of Technology thereby supporting the Institutes in enhancing programme...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Wild Atlantic Way Project (25 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 advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Wild Atlantic Way Project (25 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 advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Travel Tax (25 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The €3 flat rate charge has applied since 1 March 2011. The purpose of the offer to abolish the tax was to stimulate inbound tourist traffic. Overall the response from the airlines to date has been inadequate. Data for 2012 from the three State Airports shows a modest increase in overall passenger numbers of 0.5% compared to 2011. However, a number of factors influence...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Issues (25 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann.  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: Public Transport Issues (25 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: Roadworthiness Testing (25 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Commission Directive 2009/40/EC as amended, stipulates the minimum roadworthiness testing requirements for motor vehicles and their trailers which all roadworthiness tests throughout the EU must meet.  Vehicles registered in each Member State, as well as their trailers, undergo periodic roadworthiness tests in accordance with this Directive. Furthermore, in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Anti-Social Behaviour (25 Sep 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.  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 (25 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As part of the review of air passengers' rights the EU Commission has tabled a new Article to Regulation (EC) No. 2027/97 that will make it more transparent what charges will apply for passengers who wish to bring baggage onto a plane.  I welcome this proposed greater transparency. I acknowledge the right of carriers to maintain their commercial rights to carry passengers...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aviation Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's question refers to allegations made in a Channel 4 programme on aviation safety. Aviation safety is overseen by the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, a statutory body under the remit of my Department.  The IAA operates on the basis of EU regulations and is audited by both the European Aviation Safety Agency and the International Civil Aviation...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aviation Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I saw the programme and I understand the point the Deputy is making and his concerns. The Oireachtas has conferred on the IAA the job of being the safety regulator and it does the job very well. I am fully satisfied with the job the IAA is doing. It is audited by International Air Transport Association, IATA, and the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, so we know that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aviation Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I meet regularly with the CEO and the chairman of the IAA. I have done so on three occasions in the past three months. Aviation safety is always on the agenda, not only in respect of Ryanair but also other airlines. We certainly discussed this matter and I am satisfied that the IAA has carried out investigations and that the allegations are without foundation. I am also satisfied that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The question is about the selection of a chairperson for the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. The Harbours Act 1996 requires a statutory consultation before appointments are made to the port company boards. On the appointment of the current chairperson, Mrs. Eithne Scott Lennon, I brought a memorandum to Government on this in July. Following Government approval, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I appreciate that there are lots of issues facing the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, including the operation of the company, pensions and industrial relations which the Deputy has mentioned. As part of the Dáil reform procedures which are already in place, chairpersons are interviewed by the joint committee before their appointment by the Minister. The Deputy had the opportunity...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The procedure is prescribed in the Harbours Act. The position was advertised on the worldwide web and a notice may have appeared in the newspapers. As required by the Harbours Act, nominations were sought from interested parties, including business groups and unions. The chairperson in question went before the committee. As far as I am aware, committee agendas are circulated by e-mail to...