Results 9,601-9,620 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Tolls (27 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Since 1999 various EU directives have set common rules on distance-related tolls and time-based user charges (vignettes) for HGVs for the use of certain infrastructure. It is open to any Member State to introduce road use charges if it wishes. Road charging is an important revenue source option in relation to funding of roads infrastructure, particularly in the context of ensuring that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (27 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 to 221, inclusive, 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...

Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I extend my thanks to all Deputies who took part in this debate. I am encouraged by the general support for the Bill. Hopefully, it will be enacted and the measures implemented quickly once the legislation has been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. I reiterate that I am happy to consider some of the issues raised during the course of this debate. Many factors contribute to road...

Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013: Referral to Select Committee (28 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport pursuant to Standing Orders Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (28 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The law as it stands is that, as a road authority, a local authority is not liable for a failure to maintain a public road (non-feasance) but is liable for any injury resulting from the negligent repair or maintenance of a public road (mis-feasance).  There can also be certain circumstances where a local authority may become liable if made aware of hazardous conditions. Ireland has...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy (28 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I have no proposals to increase the current maximum speed limit on motorways. Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 sets maximum default speed limits for varying classes of roads in Ireland. Under that legislation, the maximum speed limit on motorways is set at 120 km/h, except where amended by a special speed limits order made by the relevant road authority.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Trans European Transport Network Programme (28 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The TEN-T network has been agreed between Member States, the European Commission and the European Parliament. The Comprehensive network under TEN-T on both sides of the border includes road and rail links as well as ports and airports including the cross border M2N2/A4 Dublin Derry road, N16/A4 Sligo to Northern Ireland road and N13/N14 Donegal to Derry road.The regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (28 Nov 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 delivery of the National Car Test. The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. In accordance with EU Directive 2009/40/EC, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (28 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: Air Services Provision (28 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Aer Lingus announced last July that it will commence direct services from Dublin to San Francisco on 2nd April 2014. A direct service to the West Coast of the US was identified as a key action point in the Government's Action Plan for Jobs and I am delighted that this need is being fulfilled by an Irish airline. The IDA has been advocating the return of the service ever since it...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (28 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger land transport services, including the provision of subvented PSO bus services and the licensing of public bus passenger services. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Marine Safety (3 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 to 464, inclusive, together. In July 2010, my Department contacted the supplier of a particular type of Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, known as an EPIRB, seeking information on false alerts and potential battery failure because of concerns arising from possible tampering or improper battery replacement by vessel owners.  In the ensuing...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (3 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Department does not pay any membership fees on behalf of its officials for sports club or indeed any club membership.    The Department, however does pay membership fees for some staff for membership of professional bodies associated with their duties.  Some examples of these bodies are: - Engineers Ireland; - Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors; -...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (3 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Department provides funding for staff members undertaking third level studies under the Third Level Refund of Fees Scheme. The funding is dependent on the applicant making a case that the course in question is relevant to their work and their professional development.  Refunds are made on the basis of applicants achieving success in course exams.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pension Provisions (3 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The General Scheme or ‘Heads’ of a Bill set out the broad aims and objectives of proposed new legislation in draft form and these are subsequently developed into draft provisions, suitable for publication in a Bill, by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC). Head 37 of the General Scheme of the Shannon Aviation Services and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2013...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Inland Waterways Development (3 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Funding Guide that the Deputy refers to was published following the launch of the 2006 NAIADES Action Programme, a multi-annual programme on the promotion of inland waterways transport.  The Commission has recently decided to update and renew this programme until 2020. Ireland does not have a country profile in the Funding Guide as, in general, Ireland is exempt from EU inland...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Project Funding (3 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland.  I have referred the Deputy's questions 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: Tourism Ireland Funding (3 Dec 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.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (3 Dec 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised by the Deputy 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: Departmental Funding (3 Dec 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.