Results 29,641-29,660 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Promotion (14 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Following a consultation over the last year I intend to publish a draft National Aviation Policy next week. This will be available on my Department’s website - www.dttas.ie The consultation covered all elements of aviation policy. The draft Policy takes account of all the submissions received. When published, stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide further input before...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Initiatives (14 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including Metro, Rail and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects. The design and planning of  BRT is  therefore a matter for them. In its Integrated Implementation Plan 2013 - 2018 the NTA has proposed a BRT Scheme as an interim...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed Legislation (14 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Action 92 of the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 contains a commitment to extend the fixed charge system to offences involving cyclists. This will require primary legislation. My Department is currently consulting with relevant stakeholders, such as the Gardaí, regarding the steps necessary to implement the Action.  I hope to include provisions for fixed charge notices for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Roads Authority Projects (14 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national 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 budget, the assessment and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (14 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Rickshaws do not come within the small public service vehicle (SPSV) regulatory regime. The SPSV regulatory regime applies to mechanically propelled vehicles only. The use of rickshaws on public roads must comply with general road traffic legislation and any bye-laws made by local authorities.   Insurance requirements apply only to mechanically propelled...

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Second Stage (13 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: With the agreement of the Acting Chairman, I will conclude within three minutes. I will undertake to address on Committee and Report Stages any issue I do not address today. Probably the most important issue that has been raised on many occasions by Members concerns pensions. The Government has a duty to plan for the best outcome but also to prepare for the worst, if the worst is to happen....

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Second Stage (13 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I shall reserve all my absences for the region.

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Second Stage (13 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the House for giving me the opportunity to introduce the State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014. When we last had a debate about Shannon Airport in this House in December 2012, I was about to make the order that would trigger the separation of Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA. Separation took effect on 31 December that year when responsibility for the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Semi-State Bodies (13 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There are 18 commercial semi state companies under the aegis of my Department. Commercial Semi-State Companies CIÉ Bus Átha Cliath Bus Éireann Iarnród Éireann Dublin Airport Authority Cork Airport Authority Irish Aviation Authority Shannon Airport Authority Railway Procurement Agency Drogheda Port Company Dublin Port Company Dun Laoghaire Harbour...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Roads Authority Projects (13 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.   More specifically,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (13 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to the State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014 which was published last month and which provides in section 33 for amendments to the existing statutory provisions governing superannuation schemes in our State airport authorities. As I have made clear on previous occasions, I have no formal function in relation to the resolution of the funding difficulties of the IAS...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (13 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Agreements on mutual recognition of driving licences involve very detailed negotiations.  On the Irish side, these negotiations are undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).  In Canada, each individual province is responsible for its own driver licensing rules.  The RSA has therefore been in negotiations with the various provinces in Canada, with a priority given to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Regulations (13 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme for Government contains a commitment “to legislate to regulate the vehicle clamping industry”. Therefore, I asked the then Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and Gaeltacht to provide views on the initial draft of the legislation. The Committee carried out a number of hearings on the matter and published detailed recommendations on the issues...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (13 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The issue of bus stop improvement is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport provider and I have referred 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: Rail Passengers Data (13 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar:  The issue raised is a matter for the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the RPA 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: Tourism Promotion (13 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 676 and 677 together. I am aware of the issue raised by the Deputy but I have no direct role in this matter. These are decisions for Tourism Ireland Limited as the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas and are not subject to my approval. I have referred the Deputy's Questions to Tourism Ireland for direct...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Communications (13 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Coast Guard is the only area in my Department which records telephone calls. All radio and telephone calls at the three Marine Rescue Coordination Centres located at Dublin, Malin and Valentia  are recorded in accordance with a long standing practice.  The type of recording equipment used is manufactured by NICE.  It was...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (13 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 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 (13 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 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: Sports Funding (13 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport.  This includes the allocation of funding to sporting organisations.  As this question is a matter for the Irish Sports Council (ISC), I have referred it to the ISC for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my...