Results 10,101-10,120 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Other Questions: Airport Security (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Peaceful protest is fine-----

Other Questions: Airport Security (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: -----but people should not engage in incursions on the runway, endangering their own lives and those of others.

Other Questions: Road Projects (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: At the most recent North-South Ministerial Council transport sectoral meeting on 28 November 2013, both the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive reaffirmed their commitment to the A5 scheme and I confirmed the Government's funding commitment of £25 million per annum in 2015 and 2016. We have made no commitments for any project beyond 2016 in any part of the island....

Other Questions: Road Projects (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot give timelines and I cannot make a commitment or give a response on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive. It will take however long it takes to get planning permission for the road. I cannot speak on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive when it comes to its funding commitments. However, as far as the Government is concerned, we have renewed and reiterated our commitment to...

Other Questions: Road Projects (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As is the case with every major capital project, we have made no commitments for 2017, 2018 or 2019 or beyond. This is true in the case of the DART underground, the metro north, the bus rapid transit project and just about every other road project around the country. The only commitments we have made are up to 2016, except where a contract has already been signed or in the case of an...

Other Questions: State Bodies Mergers (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 797 together. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road schemes is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. The main purpose of the Roads Bill 2014, which is currently at Second Stage in the Dáil, is to facilitate the merger of the...

Other Questions: State Bodies Mergers (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's point is well made. I did not know until I held this job - it does seem very strange - that the RPA could engage in preplanning consultation with An Bord Pleanála on a Luas project but that the NRA could not do so in the case of a road project. It can certainly be done in the case of a factory or other large development. It makes no sense to me and I am not sure why it is...

Other Questions: State Bodies Mergers (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I do not want to make a detailed comment on this issue. I know the NRA is considering afresh how the roads around Foynes and Adare could be improved. I have been stuck in Adare on several occasions and it is the major bottleneck on the way to County Kerry. I am very keen to make progress on the issue.

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The planning, design and implementation of national road projects are matters for the National Roads Authority in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.  The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads are the statutory responsibility of each local authority, funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. I understand...

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is right. Local authorities are strapped for cash but so is central government. The cutback in funding for roads has been dramatic. The cutback in the National Roads Authority's budget is nearly 80% from its peak. This has been done to protect front-line services such as health, education, the Garda and others. As a result, all we are able to do this year, where something is...

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I will be blunt. The reason we have had to cut back on road spending so much is that the economy crashed under the watch of the Deputy's party.

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I would love to be able to look into a crystal ball and tell the Deputy when we will be able to undo the damage his party did. I cannot do that, but if there are signs in the economy, they are that a slow recovery is under way. I hope that in next year's budget we will see an increase in funding for roads. I cannot guarantee this, but that is what I am fighting for.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Regulations (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Section 101B of the Road Traffic Act 1961 provides for the clamping and/or towing of vehicles by local authorities or their agents on public roads. The current maximum de-clamping fee that may be charged by local authorities was set by Regulation in 1998 at £65 which, with the introduction of the euro, converted to €80. I have no proposals to increase the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Calming Measures (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have no plans to introduce congestion charging in the cities outlined.  Ultimately, any such plans would be a matter for the local authorities concerned. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Height Limits (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 ,107, 778, 812 and 825 together. Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 sets the maximum vehicle height limit at 4.65 m and was signed into law by my predecessor, Minister Noel Dempsey. These regulations allowed a five year derogation from that limit for vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1 November 2008. The derogation was...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to answer Question 106 and 113 together. The Government attaches great importance to the continued operation of Bus Átha Cliath, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann. Their services are vital to many of our citizens and to the Irish economy.  Unfortunately, CIÉ is in a precarious financial situation and is dependent on continued...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109,121  and 133 together. The National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA).  Neither I nor my Department is involved in the processing of driver licence applications. However, I do appoint the board of the RSA and they receive some funding from my Department.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Community Involvement Scheme (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 787, 813 and 858 together. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (including footpaths) 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Of the two aviation regulatory bodies under the aegis of my Department, the Commission for Aviation Regulation is already subject to Freedom of Information legislation. The other regulatory body – the Irish Aviation Authority – is not subject to FOI. Ireland has an excellent record and reputation in aviation safety and I am determined to maintain and defend that and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Between 18 December last year and the present time, 8 storms have affected Ireland and caused significant damage and disruption. The local authorities for coastal counties have reported significant damage to roads and other public structures near coasts. The most seriously affected were western and southern coastal counties, where many piers, promenades, sea walls, rock armour and adjacent...