Results 10,761-10,780 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cross-Border Projects (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As far as my Department is concerned the position is as outlined previously.  I was very disappointed that the project could not be funded under the INTERREG IVA programme because of the substantial funding gap between the tenders for the construction of the Narrow Water bridge and the project sponsors' original estimates.  The budget for regional and local roads has suffered major...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Management (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Road (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 182 of 1997), give local authorities the power to apply restrictions to heavy goods vehicles from entering particular public roads or areas.  As it is a matter for each local authority to determine if, and where, such restrictions should apply within its functional area, I have no function in restricting vehicular access to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Tolls (15 May 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 implementation of individual national road schemes (such as the Dublin Port Tunnel) which provide for tolling, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007. Moreover, the statutory power to levy...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The subject of this question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred the question to them for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Regulations (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I intend to introduce these regulations as soon as possible.The Office of the Attorney General has been working on a draft of the regulations in question, and I understand that good progress has been made.  I would be cautious about predicting a precise date for completion.  However, I hope that the process of drafting will be completed very soon, and I can assure the Deputy that I...

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

Leo Varadkar: In accordance with the European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations 2004, S.I. 771 of 2004, all commercial vehicles over one year old (including vintage trucks) must complete a roadworthiness test and have a valid Certificate of Roadworthiness if used in a public place. Although there is no exemption for vintage vehicles, such vehicles are tested to the standards that the vehicles...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Accidents Data (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 265 together. The subject matter of these questions is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.  I have referred the questions to them for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred it to them for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

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

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to the Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services Scheme, which includes the Kerry/Dublin route, the contracts for which end in November this year. The programme on regional airports post 2014 is currently being developed in my Department. This will reflect the recommendations arising out of the published IWA Knock Study Group, which are being...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Events (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question 42 answered on the same topic.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 275 to 277, inclusive, together. The approved Tourism Ireland Corporate Plan 2014 - 2016 includes a target of increasing overseas visits to Ireland by 13% by 2016 compared to 2013.  Priority overseas markets will again be the United States, Great Britain, Germany and France, which together deliver almost three-quarters of all our overseas...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (15 May 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. The improvement and maintenance...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourist Accommodation (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Comprehensive data on capacity across the spectrum of tourist accommodation is available in the Research section of the Fáilte Ireland website, . Statistics for the period January to October 2013, also available on the website, show hotel occupancy rates of 64%, an increase of 1% on the same period in 2012. Hotel room capacity remained unchanged between 2012 and 2013. Occupation rates...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. The variance in the price of the equipment is explained by the Department availing of discounts and offers by suppliers The cost of the defibrillator in Loughrea will be forwarded to the Deputy at a later date. My Department's officials advise that they are not in a position to consider placing defibrillators...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed Legislation (27 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Adventure Activities Standards Authority Act, introduced by the Minister for Marine and Natural Resources, was enacted in 2001. It made provision for the establishment by the Minister for Marine and Natural Resources of an Adventure Activities Standards Authority, which would have responsibility for the regulation of adventure centres. However, the Act was not...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Industrial Relations (27 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 957 and 983 together. The issue raised by the Deputies is a matter for Irish Rail management and their employees and trade unions and has been the subject of lengthy negotiations under the auspices of the Labour Relations Committee (LRC) and the Labour Court. I have had a number of meetings with the Chief Executive Officer...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (27 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Currently, the wearing of high-visibility clothing by motorcyclists is not a legal requirement.  The question of whether wearing such clothing should be made mandatory has arisen and been considered a number of times in recent years.  It has been concluded that the wearing of such clothing should not be made compulsory. While high visibility clothing can obviously make a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (27 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit in Co Mayo operates out of an old facility commonly referred to as a Rocket House. The Coast Guard, which is a division of my Department, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, has been evaluating options for the provision of more modern facilities for the Unit. The current position is that a site has been identified and is the subject of a feasibility...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority Inspections (27 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The operation of inspections on articulated trucks and all other commercial vehicles is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply and I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax Collection (27 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: An inter-departmental working group has been established to examine the feasibility of introducing a pay-as-you-go road tax scheme for HGVs in Ireland, similar to that which has been recently introduced in the United Kingdom.  The group is due to report to Government by the middle of this year with its recommendations.  In the interim reform of the existing motor tax regime is a...