Results 29,701-29,720 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 934 and 935 together. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and the overall funding of public transport. Matters relating to the re-opening of railway stations, such as at Dunleer, are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that there are...

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

Leo Varadkar: In 2010 my Department conducted a comprehensive review of the Disabled Parking Scheme. At that time, eligibility for a permit was focused primarily on diagnosis of certain medical conditions - regardless of the condition's impact on a person's mobility. The review report highlighted the fact that many people with particular conditions, but with no serious mobility impairments, were...

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

Leo Varadkar: The negotiations with the Canadian provinces on mutual recognition of driving licences are being handled by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in its capacity as Ireland's national driver licensing authority. I understand from the RSA that negotiations have come very close to agreement in a number of cases, particularly with Ontario.  I had hoped that this agreement would be finalised by...

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

Leo Varadkar: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry, including vehicle standards, under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within ten working days please notify my private office.

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

Leo Varadkar: The cessation of trading by the Lough Swilly bus company is regretted as it was providing an important public transport service in the Donegal area. I have been in contact with the relevant transport agencies in relation to the Company’s winding up. Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of the Department of Education, has ensured the...

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

Leo Varadkar: The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service 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: Public Transport Issues (30 Apr 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 implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area, such as Real Time Passenger Information, comes under the remit of the NTA....

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

Leo Varadkar: The zebra crossing  being referred  by the Deputy in this question appears to be on a regional road (R445) and close to the Liffey Bridge in Newbridge.  Firstly, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (30 Apr 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. In addition, the principal functions of the Authority include the strategic planning of transport and the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.  ...

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

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) 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: Airport Development Projects (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Both Dublin and Cork Airports are owned and managed by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) which operates under a clear commercial mandate.  The promotion and development of routes at Cork Airport, including transatlantic routes, is a matter for the DAA and the airport management at Cork and is not one in which I have a direct role.  That said, I do appreciate the importance...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (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 (including maintenance projects on national roads) is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 952 and 953 together. 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 implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area, such as at train...

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

Leo Varadkar: On 20 March last, I signed an Order commencing sections 9 and 14 to 26 with immediate effect.  Under the same order, sections 3 to 5, 7 and 8 are commenced from 1 August 2014.   It is my intention to commence the remaining sections as soon as practicable.  My Department is engaging with the bodies which will have responsibility for implementation - An Garda...

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

Leo Varadkar: The last bilateral meeting I had with the Chairman and Chief Executive of Dublin Bus was on 8 January 2014. A further meeting has not yet been scheduled but will take place within this parliamentary session.  The following matters were discussed at the last meeting: - General financial position - Increasing passenger numbers in 2014 - Impact of the Luas Cross City...

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

Leo Varadkar: 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 Question to Tourism Ireland 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: Road Traffic Legislation (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is referring to the Road Traffic Act 2014, which was introduced in the Dáil originally as the Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013.   The Act creates a new category of novice driver, covering people in their first two years of a full licence.  It also provides that novice and learner drivers will reach disqualification at seven rather than the usual twelve penalty...

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

Leo Varadkar: The categories under which driver licences are issued by the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) are set out in legislation and determined at EU rather than national level. There is no category which gives an entitlement to drive any vehicle with a trailer of unlimited size. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Improvements Scheme (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 959 and 960 together. The Local Improvement Scheme provides funding for roads and laneways that Councils have not taken in charge.  However, the maintenance and improvement of these is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. There is no separate allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme.  Instead, local authorities may...