Results 9,381-9,400 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Topical Issue Debate: Driving Licence Issues (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I met the CEO of the RSA about the matter yesterday and I will meet him again in the next few weeks. I will certainly pass on Deputy O’Donovan’s concerns. It is the case that the number of staff provided did not match the demand. The demand was more than anticipated and as a result in the first week there were not enough staff. The issue is now being resolved. Previously,...

Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Aer Lingus is a publicly quoted company and decisions regarding its employees and bases are commercial matters for the board and management. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have no role in such decisions. For that reason what I can say is somewhat limited. While the State retains a 25% shareholding in Aer Lingus, this does not...

Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It is really good news for the Shannon region and Ireland that it has been possible to restore services, including winter transatlantic services, to San Francisco. Part of the reason they failed before is that they were not commercial - the aircraft were too big and the costs were too high. If we want those services to work, they must be commercial and Aer Lingus must make decisions on the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Tests (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1250 and 1251 together.   The subject of the questions is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have referred the Questions to the Authority and asked them to respond  directly to the Deputy. If a reply has not been received within 10 days the Deputy should contact my office..  

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Details of the regional and local road grant payments to county councils including Westmeath County Council are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library.  Details of the 2013 regional and local road grant allocations to each county council are also available in the Dáil library.   With regard to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Job Initiatives (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1253 and 1292 together. As my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has advised the House, the use of a social clause requiring a contractor to recruit a certain percentage of those employed on a public works construction site from the ranks of the long term unemployed is being piloted on a limited number of schools projects under the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Expenditure (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Government has contributed £22 million to date towards the A5 project.  In addition in 2011 the Irish Government undertook to provide £25 million in each of 2015 and 2016 towards the project.  The A5 project was discussed at the last NSMC Transport Sectoral meeting in April this year and will be discussed at the next meeting scheduled for November....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (5 Nov 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. Noting the above position, I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Issues (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1256 and 1293 together. The arrangements for commercial vehicle testing in the State were comprehensively reviewed in 2007 and the Government decided that the model for delivery of testing by private operators would continue and that the authorisation and supervision of commercial veicle testing would be centralised under the auspices of the Road Safety...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: The Gathering Initiatives (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This year will be a record year in terms of visitors from the United States and Canada.   The Gathering Ireland 2013 aimed primarily to generate additional tourist numbers and revenue in 2013.  However, it also aimed to have a longer-term impact.  We set a target of 325,000 visitors and we are well on the way to meeting that. Air capacity from the US for the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Funding (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The funding available under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for transport within the Multi Annual Framework is scheduled to be €26.2 billion of which €11.3 billion will be allocated specifically for cohesion Member States. The remaining €14.9 billion available to all Member States is an increase of over 50% on the current financial Transport European Networks...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electricity Transmission Network (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1259, 1279 and 1281 together. My Department and I work closely with other Government Departments on all aspects of policy which affect the tourism industry including for example the National Landscape Strategy Steering Committee, under my colleague, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. In addition, Fáilte Ireland is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Stations (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Bus Eireann 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 (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction with the National Transport Authority 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: Rail Services (5 Nov 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: Traffic Calming Measures (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the projects outlined by the Deputy being funded under...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Appointments (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested is a matter of record with the Standards in Public Office as the body with responsibility for this information.  In accordance with the Guidelines on the Staffing of Ministers' Offices, copies of both of my advisors contracts of employment were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and are available for inspection in the Dáil Library.  For...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Issues (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1266, 1286 and 1296 together. Under the terms of the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) became the national driver licensing authority as of January this year. Also with effect from 19 January, the new plastic card form of driving licence was introduced in all EU Member States. Between 19...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I refer the Deputy to Minister of State Kelly's reply to the Topical Issue on this matter on Tuesday 22nd October last. The matter of the reduction of the number of carriages has been raised with the Chief Executive of Irish Rail.  In some cases, Irish Rail have already responded and re-introduced larger carriages to accommodate passengers where this has been considered...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Commemorative Events (5 Nov 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.