Results 10,381-10,400 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Private Aircraft Landings Data (25 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has responsibility regarding records of this nature.  I have referred the Deputy's question to them 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 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy may be aware, the current PSO air services Scheme, which includes the Kerry/Dublin route, ends in November this year. The policy on regional airports post-2014 is currently being developed in my Department and will reflect the outcomes of the recently published IWA Knock Study and will also have to comply with the recently adopted revised EU Guidelines on State Aid for airports...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Programme for Government Implementation (25 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I refer the Deputy to the recently published Programme for Government Annual Report which sets out the progress over the last 12 months on an extensive number of commitments which includes a number of commitments under the remit of my Department. See link: . My Department is completing a full update on all the PFG commitments under the remit of my Department which will be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Industrial Disputes (25 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1284 and 1285 together. Shareholders are only required to be notified of a limited number of issues under company law. The legal action taken by Aer Lingus was not such an issue and shareholders were not notified of the matter in advance. I am on the record as stating that Aer Lingus' decision to sue SIPTU and certain individuals for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Services (25 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar:  The issue raised is a matter for National Transport Authority (NTA) and 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: Driver Licences (25 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA).  The front offices of the NDLS operate under contract to the RSA, and any performance matters related to them are a matter between the contractor and the RSA.  I have therefore referred the part of the Deputy's question relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (25 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have no direct role in relation to individual tourism projects as this is a matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Mountain Rescue Service (25 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As I outlined in response to a previous question on a related issue, I have asked my officials to consider the introduction of  a modest capital grant scheme for mountain rescue activities. However, there are significant constraints on my Department's overall capital budget. Furthermore, there are other capital demands arising from my primary responsibility to provide a marine...

Garda Inspectorate Report on the Fixed Charge Processing System: Statements (26 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It is important to note that the fixed charge notice and penalty points system has operated extremely well since its introduction in 2002 and enjoyed widespread public support. This is evidenced by the fact that more than 70% of those who receive a fixed charge notice pay within 28 days. The system plays a very important role in enhancing road safety, but it is essential that it be applied...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Height Limits (26 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 sets the maximum vehicle height limit at 4.65 metres 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 1st November 2008. The derogation was introduced to allow a 5-year period within which vehicles operating at heights in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Clamping (26 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme for Government contains a commitment “to legislate to regulate the vehicle clamping industry”. Therefore, in late 2011 I asked the then Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and Gaeltacht to provide views on the initial draft of the legislation. The Committee carried out a number of hearings on the matter and published detailed recommendations on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (26 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Road Safety Authority (RSA), which is responsible for the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS), has been engaging for some time with the driver licensing authorities in Canada with a view to reaching mutual recognition agreements on driving licences between Ireland and Canada. Agreements of this kind can be complex, and involve detailed studies of the driver licensing regimes on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Expenses (26 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There are two areas in my Department where official vehicles are used – the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) and the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU). Use of these vehicles is restricted to the operational functions of the IRCG and AAIU and is not available to non-technical administrative staff in the Department. As such, the situation as described by the Deputy does not arise.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Maintenance Issues (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of national roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 sets out the responsibility of landowners and occupiers to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trees, hedges and other vegetation growing on their land are not, or could not become, a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Maintenance (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Arising from the Government decision of 11 February 2014, a total of €16.8m was approved for repair and rehabilitation works associated with the clean-up and repair of roads damaged in the 13 December-6 January 2014 period across the country.  The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government contacted each local authority confirming the total sum of additional...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (1 Apr 2014)

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 delivering the National Car Test. Therefore I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply.   I ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Security (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Security is a vital element in ensuring public confidence in aviation. At Irish and other EU airports requirements are governed by EU legislation, specifically Council Regulation (EC) 300/2008 and Commission Regulation (EU) 185/2010. These regulations set out common basic standards in the field of civil aviation security and have been incorporated into Ireland's National Civil...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Initiatives (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The extension of the DART to Balbriggan forms part of the overall DART Underground project which was postponed in 2011.   Due to financial constraints, the Government's current capital plan to 2016 did not provide for the DART Underground which was planned as a PPP but with a very significant level of Exchequer support. DART...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: 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 prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national 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 budget, the...