Results 29,721-29,740 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Review Report Implementation (30 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 962 and 964 together. Action 14 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report, 2011 recommended the prohibition on the transfer of a small public service vehicle (SPSV) vehicle licence with effect from 1st October 2012. The underlying principle for the recommendation was that a licence should determine a person's suitability to carry out a function and it...

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

Leo Varadkar: Opening hours at our national monuments, buildings and exhibitions are a matter in the first instance for the boards and management of the Office of Public Works and the National Cultural Institutions. These organisations come within the remit of the Minister of State for Public Service Reform and the Office of Public Works and the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (17 Apr 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 Department has allocated a total of €145 million to local authorities for the Restoration...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Sector Staff Issues (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Dublin Bus 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: Marine Safety (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is not familiar with the term “ decommissioning certificate" in the context of the functions of the Marine Survey Office. However, the term may be applicable to a situation whereby a fishing vessel is removed from a Flag State’s Fishing Register in the context of a grant scheme.  Where the UK undertakes a  certification process...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Funding (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Regulations 2013 establish the EU funding mechanism for investment in the Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T). A copy of the Regulations can be accessed on the European Commission website at the following link:. Article 7 of the Regulations sets out the eligibility criteria and conditions for financial assistance. CEF funding will be provided by...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Land Acquisition (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As I outlined in my response to Question No. 229 of 10 April, 2014, my Department gave a commitment in 2010 to contribute a maximum of €3.7 million of the estimated land acquisition costs of €7.4 million or 50% of the cost, whichever is the lesser, and this is being honoured.  Between 2010-2013 €2,005,265 was paid to Cork County Council in respect of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department does not currently provide any funding to active retirement groups.  However, funding has been provided to active retirement groups in the past through the Sports Capital programme.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Directives (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Directive 126 of 2006 is the EU driver licensing directive.  Among other aspects of driver licensing, this directive sets out minimum requirements to be met by vehicles used in driving tests.  These are described in Annex II, section 5.2 of the directive. Directive 36 of 2012 made a number of changes to the vehicle requirements for tests, relating to categories...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Test Regulations (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It is not the case that all vehicles used in driving tests must have anti-lock brakes (ABS). However vehicles used in tests for categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE must have ABS. The requirements for vehicles to be used in driving tests are set at EU rather than national level, under section 5.2 of Annex II to Directive 2006/126/EC, as amended by Directive 2012/36/EU.  The EU...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As I outlined in my response to Questions Nos. 679 and 681 of 15 April 2014 regarding local roads in Kerry, 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 roads such as the L3018 are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Employment (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 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 most recent CSO Quarterly National Household Survey, in February, reported that seasonally adjusted employment among accommodation and food...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Driver Licensing Service (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA).  I have no role in the internal operations of the NDLS, and the review in question was a matter for the RSA.  I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Driver Licensing Service (17 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 role in choosing office locations.  I have therefore forwarded this 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: State Airports (17 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy is aware, the 2011 Booz & Co. Report on the Future Ownership and Operation of Cork and Shannon Airports found that Cork Airport performs well under DAA ownership and management and operates to a sustainable business model.   Following on from this report the Government decided in November 2012 that the existing ownership of Cork Airport by the Dublin Airport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cross-Border Co-operation (16 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 to 174, inclusive, together. My Department officials and I continue to engage with the UK authorities to seek an exemption from the HGV road user levy for the A5.  I recently wrote again to Mr Hammond on the issue and I await his reply. This morning I met with my colleague in the Northern Irish Executive, Minister Mark Durcan to discuss this...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (16 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Coast Guard is part of the Irish Maritime Administration in my Department and is responsible for the operation of the marine rescue co-ordination centre in Malin Head and four Volunteer Coast Guard stations in Killybegs, Bunbeg, Mulroy and Greencastle. Two significant Coast Guard equipment/infrastructure projects in County Donegal have been completed in the years the Deputy refers...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There are a few points on which I will need to get further clarification, so I will address them on Committee Stage. One question was why warships are exempt. This is because they are not covered under international conventions related to shipping; instead, they are covered by other legislation. Ferries are included among all passenger and commercial ships but it is important to bear in...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am listening.

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am pleased to introduce the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013, for the consideration of the House. This Bill is the latest initiative being progressed in the interest of developing an updated and enhanced legislative code for the national maritime sector. The maritime industry and environment is of importance to Ireland as an island and a trading nation. My priorities...