Results 29,421-29,440 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The subject of this question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred the question to it 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: Marine Safety (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department received an application for a Load Line Certificate of the vessel in question at the end of January. As there was no certificate of this type issued previously, an Initial Survey was required to be conducted.  An Initial Survey can be a detailed and time consuming exercise, particularly in the case of an older vessel. The survey...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Expenses (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy regarding subsistence and taxi payments is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible.  My Department has been audited recently by the Revenue Commissioners for tax compliance on these payments as well as other benefits in kind and no issues were raised in this regard.  Travel and taxi usage policies are reviewed...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 772 and 773 together.  EU Directive 36 of 2012 allows Member States the option of allowing drivers who have passed a test for vehicles of categories C, CE, D and DE with an automatic transmission to also drive vehicles of those categories with a manual transmission, providing that they have a licence to drive vehicles of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill provides for amendments to the existing provisions governing the State airport authorities' superannuation schemes.  The Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS) is a multi-employer scheme involving DAA, SAA, Aer Lingus and former SR Technics staff. Resolution of the funding difficulties in the IAS scheme, where there is a deficit of over...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Legal Cases (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: This matter is the subject of legal proceedings currently underway and is therefore sub-judice. In the circumstances, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter raised.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road User Levy (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Following clarification of the question, I understand it refers to the possibility of a shared HGV road charging regime with the UK. The issue of the HGV road user levy introduced on April 1 2014 in the UK, including Northern Ireland, has been discussed at the North South Ministerial Council.  It has been acknowledged in these discussions that this issue is an excepted matter under the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Policy (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The State's shareholding in Aer Lingus does not allow it to interfere in any way in the commercial operations of the company.  Aer Lingus reported an operating profit of €61.1 m in 2013 which was the company's fourth consecutive year of profitability.  The Government continues to manage its shareholding actively, with the aim of maximising the value of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The position remains as outlined in the response to an identical PQ, Question No. 707 of 8 April 2014. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Clamping (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate for vehicle clamping. Following approval by Government, I published the Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014 on the 9th June 2014. I hope to introduce the Bill in the Oireachtas in the near future. The provisions of the Bill, including the provisions for non-compliance, together with an Explanatory Memorandum, is available for download...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licence Applications (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.  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: Semi-State Bodies (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Dublin Port is a commercial state company that operates under the Harbour Acts.  Employment related issues are a statutory matter for the port company itself. However, officials from my Department have been informed that the employee handbook referred to is in draft format and Dublin Port is currently engaged in a consultative process on it. The trade unions have been...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry Regulations (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) has responsibility for licensing the travel trade. 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: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (17 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Resolution of the funding difficulties in the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS), where there is a deficit of over €760m, is primarily a matter for the Trustees, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme's 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 it...

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...

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...

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I certainly support the intent behind the amendment. We need to have better aviation statistics which should be collected and published regularly. I am not convinced that the way it is done now needs to be put in legislation. In the context of aviation policy, I would like to take some time to decide what sort of data should be collected and whether the CSO, the CAR or the Department...

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In regard to Senator Power's question, the aforementioned meeting between the deferred pensioners and the export panel was their second time to meet. It certainly was not a cosmetic meeting arranged for the day before publication of the report. The report is not going to be published tomorrow. I do not know when it will be published. It may be next week. As I was not briefed by the...

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Neither the Senator nor I attended the meeting and what one person can relay from a meeting is not necessarily what happened. I would prefer to hear from the expert panel and read its report.

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It's report will not be gospel. It will have to be discussed by the various parties involved, including the companies. I find it hard to understand how the expert panel could come up with a solution that does not refer to the pensioners and the deferred pensioners but I would like to know all the facts first. I will await the next report of the panel.