Results 10,601-10,620 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: My Department does not currently provide any funding to active retirement groups.  However, funding has been provided to active retirement groups in the past through the Sports Capital programme.

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

Leo Varadkar: Directive 126 of 2006 is the EU driver licensing directive.  Among other aspects of driver licensing, this directive sets out minimum requirements to be met by vehicles used in driving tests.  These are described in Annex II, section 5.2 of the directive. Directive 36 of 2012 made a number of changes to the vehicle requirements for tests, relating to categories...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Test Regulations (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It is not the case that all vehicles used in driving tests must have anti-lock brakes (ABS). However vehicles used in tests for categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE must have ABS. The requirements for vehicles to be used in driving tests are set at EU rather than national level, under section 5.2 of Annex II to Directive 2006/126/EC, as amended by Directive 2012/36/EU.  The EU...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As I outlined in my response to Questions Nos. 679 and 681 of 15 April 2014 regarding local roads in Kerry, 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 roads such as the L3018 are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together. The collection and publication of official statistics is primarily a matter for the Central Statistics Office (CSO), which falls under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach. The most recent CSO Quarterly National Household Survey, in February, reported that seasonally adjusted employment among accommodation and food...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Driver Licensing Service (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA).  I have no role in the internal operations of the NDLS, and the review in question was a matter for the RSA.  I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Driver Licensing Service (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in choosing office locations.  I have therefore forwarded this question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would 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: State Airports (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy is aware, the 2011 Booz & Co. Report on the Future Ownership and Operation of Cork and Shannon Airports found that Cork Airport performs well under DAA ownership and management and operates to a sustainable business model.   Following on from this report the Government decided in November 2012 that the existing ownership of Cork Airport by the Dublin Airport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Insurance Regulation (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The advice to people insured by Setanta Insurance is that they should obtain a replacement insurance policy without delay, as that company has stated that it is not in a position to confirm that claims will be met in full and as all claims are subject to the relevant liquidation process. Insurance Ireland has advised that third party victims of collisions  involving vehicles insured...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Roads Authority Projects (30 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 is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. I am aware of the High...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 927 to 929, inclusive, and No. 961 together. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has entered into Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts with Irish Rail for the provision of rail services. Specific proposals relating to the provision of services under that contract are matters for the NTA in conjunction with Irish Rail I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations Car Park Charges (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Freedom of Information Remit (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Iarnród Éireann is a commercial Sate company and, while it is a monopoly rail provider in the State, it does face competition from, for instance, Bus Éireann and private bus companies in the inter-city market. Nonetheless, I supported its inclusion under Freedom of Information and the draft Bill currently before the Oireachtas extends FOI to Iarnród...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware of the Vision Zero Initiative. Our Road Safety Strategy 2013 to 2020, which I launched last year, incorporates many of the same principles. Our Strategy is based on the Safe Systems approach to road safety which is built on the principles of human behaviour, human frailty and forgiving systems. This approach reinforces the concept of shared responsibility across...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 934 and 935 together. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and the overall funding of public transport. Matters relating to the re-opening of railway stations, such as at Dunleer, are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that there are...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Provision (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In 2010 my Department conducted a comprehensive review of the Disabled Parking Scheme. At that time, eligibility for a permit was focused primarily on diagnosis of certain medical conditions - regardless of the condition's impact on a person's mobility. The review report highlighted the fact that many people with particular conditions, but with no serious mobility impairments, were...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no power to intervene in individual cases.  I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would 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: Driver Licences (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The negotiations with the Canadian provinces on mutual recognition of driving licences are being handled by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in its capacity as Ireland's national driver licensing authority. I understand from the RSA that negotiations have come very close to agreement in a number of cases, particularly with Ontario.  I had hoped that this agreement would be finalised by...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry, including vehicle standards, under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within ten working days please notify my private office.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Issues (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The cessation of trading by the Lough Swilly bus company is regretted as it was providing an important public transport service in the Donegal area. I have been in contact with the relevant transport agencies in relation to the Company’s winding up. Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of the Department of Education, has ensured the...