Results 29,681-29,700 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: Oversight of the operation of the local  government system and implementation of policy in that regard, is a matter for my colleague, the Minister of the Environment  Community and Local Government; and I have no role in this matter. However I understand that local service provision in the context of motor tax services is the responsibility of the local authority in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (6 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. With Minister Howlin, I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (6 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Section 13(10)(a) of the Roads Act 1993 provides, inter alia,  that any person who, without lawful authority or the consent of a road authority, permits dung or urine from an animal owned by him to be left on a public road such that the dung or urine is a hazard or potential hazard to persons using a public road, or obstructs or interferes with the safe use or maintenance of a public...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roadworthiness Testing (6 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: EU and Irish law stipulates that roadworthiness testing of commercial vehicles commences on the 12 month anniversary of first registration, and annually thereafter. The period of validity of a certificate of roadworthiness (CRW) is calculated by reference to the last test due date. In cases where a vehicle is overdue its test by more than one year and is presented for testing, current...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations Upgrade (6 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the development and implementation of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) comes within the remit of the NTA. My Department also provides funding to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (6 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The National Transport Authority (NTA) administers the grants programmes and funding for bus stops and accessibility projects. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Integrated Ticketing (6 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Responsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing Leap Card system in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) became a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 30th September 2010. In addition, section 63 of the DTA Act 2008 extends the Authority’s remit in relation to integrated ticketing to the rest of the State. Noting the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Noise Pollution Legislation (1 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Vehicles in use on Irish roads must meet the standards specified in the . These require vehicles to be fitted with a silencer or other device that will reduce exhaust noise to a reasonable level.  Article 85 of these Regulations prohibits the use in a public place of a vehicle which causes excessive noise. The Regulations also prohibit the alteration of an exhaust silencer in such a way...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations Upgrade (1 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 individual train stations, including their location on the network, are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann.  Please advise...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (1 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together. The Road Traffic Act 2004 provides that elected members of County and City Councils may make bye-laws in order to set special speed limits to roads in their administrative area. The application of the special speed limits must be in accordance with issued by the Department for Transport, Tourism and Sport in 2011. A 30 km/h speed...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Issues (1 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The statutory responsibility for these matters lies with the relevant local authority, and I have no function in this area.  I would therefore advise the Deputy to raise the matter with the local authority in question.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sport and Recreational Development (1 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, including the allocation of funding for the National Governing Bodies of Sport. As this question is a matter for the Irish Sports Council, I have referred it to the Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licence Renewals (1 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Prior to 2004, the period within which an application could be made to renew a driving licence was only one month before expiry. In that year, this was changed to three months before expiry. I am satisfied that the period of up to three months before the expiry of a driving licence within which people can apply for renewal is adequate and reasonable, and I have no plans to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (1 May 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Bus lanes have been put in place, at some expense to the public, to provide on-street priority for buses.  Their aim is make public transport more attractive by increasing the speed and reliability of bus journeys.  When bus lanes were first introduced, it was agreed to allow taxis to use with-flow bus lanes while in service.  This was a decision based on the fact that taxis...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Insurance Regulation (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The advice to people insured by Setanta Insurance is that they should obtain a replacement insurance policy without delay, as that company has stated that it is not in a position to confirm that claims will be met in full and as all claims are subject to the relevant liquidation process. Insurance Ireland has advised that third party victims of collisions  involving vehicles insured...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Roads Authority Projects (30 Apr 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. I am aware of the High...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 927 to 929, inclusive, and No. 961 together. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has entered into Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts with Irish Rail for the provision of rail services. Specific proposals relating to the provision of services under that contract are matters for the NTA in conjunction with Irish Rail I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations Car Park Charges (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Freedom of Information Remit (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Iarnród Éireann is a commercial Sate company and, while it is a monopoly rail provider in the State, it does face competition from, for instance, Bus Éireann and private bus companies in the inter-city market. Nonetheless, I supported its inclusion under Freedom of Information and the draft Bill currently before the Oireachtas extends FOI to Iarnród...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware of the Vision Zero Initiative. Our Road Safety Strategy 2013 to 2020, which I launched last year, incorporates many of the same principles. Our Strategy is based on the Safe Systems approach to road safety which is built on the principles of human behaviour, human frailty and forgiving systems. This approach reinforces the concept of shared responsibility across...