Results 29,541-29,560 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA 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: Vehicle Registration (27 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the National Roads Authority (NRA) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).   Noting the position above, I have referred the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (27 May 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: Irish Language Issues (27 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have asked the National Roads Authority (NRA) to pilot scheme of newly-designed road signs that will give the Irish language parity with English on the country’s roads. The newly designed information signs, which will use the test ‘Turas’ typeface and colour differentiation to highlight both languages, are based on recommendations outlined in a study commissioned by...

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

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be...

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

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA 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: Proposed Legislation (27 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Rickshaws are technically classified as bicycles for the purposes of road traffic legislation and must therefore comply with legislation insofar as it applies to bicycles. The insurance provisions of the Road Traffic Acts apply to mechanically propelled vehicles only.  Therefore there is no legal requirement under the legislation for rickshaws to be insured.   I understand that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fishing Vessel Licences (27 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The following is the position in relation to the case raised by the Deputy. Before registration in Ireland a vessel must comply with the relevant Irish and EU Regulations. In relation to the kilowatt issue, EU regulations introduced mandatory changes to the arrangements for certification of propulsion engine power for fishing vessels whose propulsion engine power exceeds 120...

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

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail 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: Rail Network (27 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have instructed the National Transport Authority (NTA) to update the existing 2010 business case for DART Underground. I made this request as a result of the recent High Court Judgement on the DART Underground Railway Order which ruled that the period for serving Notices to Treat for the purpose of compulsory purchase of property under the Order should be 18 months rather than the 7...

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

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Issues relating to the upgrade of rolling stock are in the first instance commercial matters for the Board and Management of Iarnród Éireann. I have received no request from Iarnród Éireann for capital funding for such an...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licence Applications (27 May 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 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 (27 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and I do not have a role in operational matters such as those referred to by the Deputy. In the specific case of emigrants, it is important to remember that EU law requires that people who apply for a driving licence in a Member State must be normally resident in that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (27 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Expert Panel was established following consultation between my Department, the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, IBEC and ICTU.  In an effort to broker a compromise the Panel was asked to carry out an investigation of how the industrial relations issues relating to the scheme might be resolved. It has given an update to the Departments on its progress...

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

Leo Varadkar: All land tractors, irrespective of age, are legally required to have appropriate ROPS, sometimes referred to as anti-roll bars, safety frames or safety cabs fitted. Since the 1st September 1977, under Statutory Instrument No. 138 of 1969 - Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 1969, land tractors used in a public place are required to...

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

Leo Varadkar: My Department's Irish Maritime Administration is preparing a new Maritime Safety Strategy which will seek to reduce the number of fatalities and incidents arising in the recreational craft, fishing, passenger and cargo vessel sectors.  The Strategy will focus primarily on creating a culture of safety, and will ensure that actions are targeted at the key causes of fatalities in the...

Other Questions: Local Authority Members' Remit (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 34 together. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, has led the most significant overhaul in the powers and functions of local authority structures in recent history. He deserves great credit for this and I am keen to support his agenda of devolving functions to local authorities where it is...

Other Questions: Local Authority Members' Remit (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Lawlor’s suggestion is an excellent one as the powers held by councillors are contained in many different Acts from maritime to local government to roads legislation, not one single Act. Rather than me just doing it for roads, the best action would be for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to produce a small booklet for newly elected councillors...

Other Questions: Local Authority Members' Remit (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Yes, some councillors might prefer not to have these powers. I am amused from time to time about the number of representations I get from councillors about matters such as speed limits which they decide, not me. There will be a whole new set of councillors next week and, hopefully, they will figure out what their job is.

Other Questions: Local Authority Members' Remit (15 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It is up to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to take stock about the proposed Dublin mayor and decide on how he wishes to proceed on that. It will not go away as an issue and, at some point, the people of Dublin will be asked for their view on it. I regret that this was not done on this occasion as a result of a decision of Fingal County Council. I have a...