Results 29,661-29,680 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: Traffic management and the designation of individual parking spaces in our cities and towns is a matter for the local authority concerned and I have no function in the matter.  The Deputy may be referring to the issue of parking on public footpaths.  Such a departure from current practice raises issues around the safety of pedestrians and the need to segregate...

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

Leo Varadkar: Since my appointment as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have created no agencies,  However a number have been merged or abolished. Dundalk Port Company was merged with Dublin Port Company on 12 July 2011 , while Tralee and Fenit Harbour Commissioners transferred to the control of Kerry County Council on 1 October 2011. In 2012 Dublin Tourism merged...

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

Leo Varadkar: The current average age of staff in my Department is 48, a small increase from the average age in 2010 which was of 46.  This compares to the average age of civil servants in the relevant years which is 47.

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

Leo Varadkar: Both Minister Ring and I regularly attend European Council meetings relating to our various responsibilities. Currently I expect to attend the European Transport Council meeting on the 5th June.  The date of the next European Sports Council meeting is yet to confirmed.  In relation to other travel, I intend to travel to Canada on the 17th May to attend the WADA (World Anti-Doping...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Insurance Regulation (8 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) is a non-profit-making organisation registered in Ireland.  The company was established by the insurance companies following an Agreement between the Government and those companies underwriting motor insurance in Ireland. The MIBI Agreement on the compensation of claims for uninsured driving is a legal agreement between MIBI...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (8 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The operation of the Certificate of Professional Competence regime is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.  I have therefore forwarded the question to the Authority for direct response. 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 Network (8 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 contract for the N17/N18...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (8 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The operation of the Certificate of Professional Competence regime is a matter for the Road Safety Authority.  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.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Provision (8 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As I explained to the Deputy in my response to the Question referred to, there are sound arguments against allowing partial parking on pavements. The key concerns are that footpaths are provided for the safety of pedestrians and to segregate vulnerable road users from passing or parking traffic on the roadway; that footpaths are not constructed to the same specifications as roads and are not...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (8 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I understand that the  National Transport Authority (NTA) will shortly award the contract for the study to assess the long term rail transport requirements of the North Dublin/Fingal Corridor and that a timeline of eight months for completion is estimated. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply in relation to their proposals to address statutory and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aer Lingus Remuneration (7 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I can confirm that the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus voted against item 2 on the agenda of the company's AGM last Friday, 2 May. Agenda item 2 was titled "Consideration of the Remuneration Report" and was an advisory, non-binding resolution. The company's performance has improved significantly under Mr Mueller's stewardship and his overall remuneration package is what would...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discounted Travel Schemes (7 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the transport operators 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: Traffic Management (7 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The use of bus lanes is provided for in the Road Traffic (Traffic & Parking) Regulations, 1997, as amended.  The primary purpose of providing bus lanes is to facilitate and promote bus based public transport.  The Regulations generally limit the use of bus lanes to buses and to cyclists. As taxis provide on-street immediate public hire services, an exemption...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roadworthiness Testing (7 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 Tolls (7 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have overall responsibility for  policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The implementation of individual national road schemes which provide for tolling, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007.  Furthermore, the statutory power to levy...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pension Provisions (7 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport I have no function in relation to the administration of the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS). The resolution of the funding difficulties in the scheme is primarily a matter for the trustees, the members of the scheme, the companies participating in the scheme and the regulator of such pension schemes - the Pensions Authority (formerly...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (7 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 220, 222 and 223 together. The collection and publication of official statistics is primarily a matter for the Central Statistics Office (CSO), which falls under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach. The 2013 Tourism and Travel Statistics show that spending in Ireland by overseas visitors (excluding fares) rose by 11.9% to €3.262...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (7 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department's support for the tourism sector is channelled through the State tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. The agencies have a range of programmes, many delivered at a national level, to assist in developing and promoting the tourism sector. I have no direct role in relation to the development of tourism in individual regions such as the Inishowen...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Projects Funding (7 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I generally have no direct role in relation to individual tourism projects.  This is a matter for the relevant project sponsor in most cases, with support from the board and management of Fáilte Ireland where appropriate.  Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if...