Results 10,581-10,600 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The scheme referred to is a Revenue matter, relating to relief on VAT and VRT.  My Department does not have any involvement in this scheme, nor does my Department have funding available for such assistance as the Deputy is suggesting.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Signage (15 Apr 2014)

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, including the provision of signage, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Light Rail Services (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) in conjunction with the operator of LUAS, Veolia Transport Ireland. The Railway Safety Commission (RSC) also has a role in relation to the safe operation of the LUAS and application of enforcement measures in accordance with the Railway Safety Act 2005. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to both the RPA and RSC for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Insurance Regulation (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department's role with regard to motor insurance is confined to the enactment of policy relating to the relevant Road Traffic Acts. Motor insurance is provided as a private contract between the supplier and the customer.  Any terms and conditions of motor insurance policies are a contractual matter between the person insured and the insurer and are not matters in which I would...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Development Projects (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Funding for capital expenditure under the Regional Airports Programme 2011-2014 has been confined to safety and security related projects.  The projects being funded at Waterford Airport under this Programme include runway end safety areas (RESA) (which involve the purchase of land to facilitate this work) as well as boundary fencing and the installation of other...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pension Provisions (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport I have no formal function in relation to the resolution of the funding difficulties of the IAS Scheme. This is primarily a matter for the trustees, the members of the scheme, the companies participating in the scheme and the regulator of such pension schemes - the Pensions Authority. I understand that both deferred and pensioner members have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (15 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 also a matter for the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Programmes (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: On 1 April, cross-government work began on the 2014 Comprehensive Expenditure Review and a Review of Capital Expenditure. The process is being led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department is in the process of developing its input to the Review. A Steering Group led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will consider submissions from Departments and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services Provision (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Air fares charged on Public Service Obligation air services, including the Donegal - Dublin route, are in compliance with the contract signed between my Department and the airline operating the route for the three year period 2011-2014. The current PSO contracts will expire in November this year. It is intended that a new PSO tender competition will be organised...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Charges (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 711 together. Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) and the other regional airports in the State are independent bodies, privately owned or held in trust.  While the State currently makes funding available to them in certain limited circumstances in accordance with relevant EU legislation, they must meet the balance of their operating and...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am pleased to introduce the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013, for the consideration of the House. This Bill is the latest initiative being progressed in the interest of developing an updated and enhanced legislative code for the national maritime sector. The maritime industry and environment is of importance to Ireland as an island and a trading nation. My priorities...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am listening.

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There are a few points on which I will need to get further clarification, so I will address them on Committee Stage. One question was why warships are exempt. This is because they are not covered under international conventions related to shipping; instead, they are covered by other legislation. Ferries are included among all passenger and commercial ships but it is important to bear in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cross-Border Co-operation (16 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 to 174, inclusive, together. My Department officials and I continue to engage with the UK authorities to seek an exemption from the HGV road user levy for the A5.  I recently wrote again to Mr Hammond on the issue and I await his reply. This morning I met with my colleague in the Northern Irish Executive, Minister Mark Durcan to discuss this...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (16 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Coast Guard is part of the Irish Maritime Administration in my Department and is responsible for the operation of the marine rescue co-ordination centre in Malin Head and four Volunteer Coast Guard stations in Killybegs, Bunbeg, Mulroy and Greencastle. Two significant Coast Guard equipment/infrastructure projects in County Donegal have been completed in the years the Deputy refers...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (17 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 Department has allocated a total of €145 million to local authorities for the Restoration...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Sector Staff Issues (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Dublin Bus 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: Marine Safety (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is not familiar with the term “ decommissioning certificate" in the context of the functions of the Marine Survey Office. However, the term may be applicable to a situation whereby a fishing vessel is removed from a Flag State’s Fishing Register in the context of a grant scheme.  Where the UK undertakes a  certification process...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Funding (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Regulations 2013 establish the EU funding mechanism for investment in the Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T). A copy of the Regulations can be accessed on the European Commission website at the following link:. Article 7 of the Regulations sets out the eligibility criteria and conditions for financial assistance. CEF funding will be provided by...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Land Acquisition (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As I outlined in my response to Question No. 229 of 10 April, 2014, my Department gave a commitment in 2010 to contribute a maximum of €3.7 million of the estimated land acquisition costs of €7.4 million or 50% of the cost, whichever is the lesser, and this is being honoured.  Between 2010-2013 €2,005,265 was paid to Cork County Council in respect of the...