Results 10,861-10,880 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Responsibilities (10 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There has been no statutory delegation of functions to Minister of State Ring and therefore there are no legislative powers for which he has direct responsibility. However, after my appointment in 2011, I allocated Ministerial responsibilities internally within my Department to both Minister of State Ring and Minister of State Kelly. These allocations were not done on a statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Responsibilities (10 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There has been no statutory delegation of functions to Minister of State Kelly and therefore there are no legislative powers for which he has direct responsibility. However, after my appointment in 2011, I allocated Ministerial responsibilities internally within my Department to both Minister of State Kelly and Minister of State Ring. These allocations were not done on a statutory basis. In...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax Collection (10 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have no plans to introduce a levy on heavy goods vehicles. For the Deputy's information consideration is being given to the introduction of a pay as you go motor tax regime for HGVs. I draw his attention to my response to Parliamentary Question 964 of May 27th.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Superannuation Schemes (10 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Resolution of the funding difficulties in the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS), where there is a deficit of over €760 million, is a matter for the Trustees, the companies participating in the Scheme, the members and the Pensions Board. The deficit in the scheme has arisen over the years as the companies and the members did not put enough into the scheme to match the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Tests Waiting Lists (10 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Driver testing is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in relation to individual cases. I have therefore forwarded 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

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I will not be accepting the amendment. As I made clear previously, I cannot impose or prescribe solutions for the current difficulties in the IAS scheme. These are matters for resolution by the trustees, the employers and the Pensions Authority. If this amendment is accepted, it would add a further constraint to what is already a highly complex and inflexible pension scheme. It also...

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: For clarity, it is neither right nor fair to characterise the employers or companies as walking away from their responsibilities. The remaining employers in the scheme, DAA and Aer Lingus, have between them offered to put over €100 million into the scheme. It is not the case that they are walking away from their responsibilities. People are trying to find a solution to a pension...

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have nothing further to add.

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Amendments Nos. 18 to 21, inclusive, are technical adjustments to the provisions of section 44 which deal with amendments to the airport by-laws as set out in the 2004 Act. They do not change the substance of what is already provided. Amendment No. 21 is provided solely for legal clarity. The airport by-laws have always provided that the airport authorities may regulate parking at airports....

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am at one with the Senator in that we need to have much better statistics on transport, to have them independently collected and published regularly. We are getting there. The Irish Maritime Development Office already publishes an excellent statistical bulletin and reports. The National Transport Authority now has the power to collect transport statistics for public transport. For the...

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: These amendments are of a linguistic nature and do not change the effect of the existing text in section 51. The amendments insert phrases from the EU package travel directive so the text relates more exactly to the language used in that directive. For instance, “retailer” and “organiser” is inserted instead of package provider. These amendments also add the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Insurance Costs (11 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department's role in respect of motor insurance relates to the primary legislation requirement that the use of mechanically propelled vehicles in a public place be covered by insurance. Motor insurance is a private contract between the insurer and the driver and I have no role in the control of motor insurance costs as this is essentially a consumer affairs matter.  I would...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (11 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have no direct role in relation to individual tourism projects. This is a matter for the board and management of 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 ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (11 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have 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: Road Projects Expenditure (11 Jun 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: Sporting Events (11 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Last November the Government considered a Memorandum on the discussions and analysis to date on a potential bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023.    While the Memorandum identified a number of challenges, the great potential of the event is also clear and I believe that hosting the Rugby World Cup on a cross-border basis in 2023 would be a great opportunity for Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (11 Jun 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.  Within its capital...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: School Transport Administration (11 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.   Responsibility for the School Transport Scheme lies with my colleague Mr. Ciarán Cannon, T.D, Minister for Training and Skills.  There was an article in the Mail on Sunday on 13th April, 2014 detailing allegations of bribery and corruption in the award of contracts under the School Transport...

Topical Issue Debate: National Road Network Service Areas (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to address this issue and to clarify the position regarding the provision of service areas by the NRA on the motorway network. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding regarding the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, including...

Topical Issue Debate: National Road Network Service Areas (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Several issues arise. First, it is important to point out that this is just the public consultation phase. It is not a policy decision and the NRA is welcoming an input from the private sector, local authorities and, of course, public representatives. I know TEN-T very well as I was chairman of the Council of Ministers when it went through the European process. What it states is that we...