Results 29,821-29,840 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Mountain Rescue Service (3 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 274 together. Once again I would like to put on record my appreciation for the excellent work done by voluntary mountain rescue organisations. It is important to recognise that An Garda Síochána have responsibility for the coordination of mountain rescue teams under the Framework for Major Emergency Management. The Gardaí fall under...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Projects Funding (3 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have no direct role in relation to individual tourism projects. This is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland.  Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (3 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 ten working days.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Roadworthiness Testing (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As part of the review, the RSA will examine best practice in other countries. I can certainly commit to this. I will also ask it if it can bring forward the review and perhaps start it now and have it done before the end of the year. I cannot promise that it will be able to do this, as it has a work programme. The first priority I have given it is to sort out all of the driving licence...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Roadworthiness Testing (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Senator Landy for raising this matter. As vehicles get older, their condition deteriorates, as evidenced by the increased failure rates for older vehicles undergoing the national car test and commercial vehicle roadworthiness tests. Components such as brakes, steering systems and tyres become more prone to developing faults. Consequently, older vehicles pose a greater risk to other...

Seanad: Participation in Sport: Motion (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: What exactly are women's issues?

Seanad: Participation in Sport: Motion (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There are some very sensitive NGOs.

Seanad: Participation in Sport: Motion (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Even politics.

Seanad: Participation in Sport: Motion (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: A Chathaoirleach, a Sheanadóiri, I am taking this business today as my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, is in Milan on official business related to the Giro d'Italia, which I will speak about later on. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I am committed to increasing and developing participation and interest in sport, improving standards of performance and...

Other Questions: Community Involvement Scheme (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy Dooley is very cynical.

Other Questions: Community Involvement Scheme (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 16, 17, 22, 32 and 57 together. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in this area is a statutory function of each road authority. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources, supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded...

Other Questions: Community Involvement Scheme (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I will certainly consider putting it on a permanent footing. It was always intended to be a two year pilot. We will be coming to the end of the two years shortly and we will put it on a permanent footing so long as things continue to work well this year. I do not have all the details of the scheme but contact will be made with the local authorities in the next few weeks with all the...

Other Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy McHugh for his interest in the matter. I have had several meetings with him involving some hauliers from County Donegal. I welcome him taking the initiative to meet the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, MP, about the matter. We will not give up on it and will continue to work on it. As he pointed out, the legislative instrument required...

Other Questions: Roads Maintenance Issues (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I agree with the Deputy that drainage is an issue of particular importance that local authorities need to give consideration to in their work programmes. Indeed, last year I made a specific allocation for proper drainage work in order to protect pavement surfaces to focus their attention on this area. However, it must be stated that the improvement and maintenance of regional and local...

Other Questions: Roads Maintenance Issues (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It is worth pointing out that the €330 million represents the State road grants that come from the Department via the motor tax. Local authorities can add their own resources to that - some are very good and some are very bad. For every €1 that the Government gives Fingal County Council for local and regional roads, that council matches it with €2. Other counties are...

Other Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: That suggestion certainly violates the Single European Act so I cannot consider something that is unlawful. Cabotage is wrong. We are supposed to have a free market and the free movement of goods and services across the European Union. If it were up to me, I would get rid of cabotage rules altogether. The European Commission is also in favour of doing that provided we have similar safety...

Other Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I met my UK counterpart, Mr. Hammond, and his officials. They heard me out but made no promises other than to examine the matter further. The Taoiseach's meeting with the Prime Minister was along similar lines. I made the point that we had put money into the A5 already and had committed money for the future. For every argument we have, the UK has a counter-argument and pointed out that...

Other Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There is a risk that some haulage firms will register some of their trucks in the North and it may be the case that some have done so already. Others will buy the annual pass. People do not have to pay €10 every day they use UK roads. There is an option of purchasing a heavily discounted annual pass. Some people will do that, depending on how often they cross the Border and go...

Other Questions: Driver Licences (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The National Driver Licence Service, NDLS, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, RSA, and the criteria for applying for a replacement for a lost or stolen driving licence are set out on the RSA website. These requirements include a Garda report stating it was lost or stolen. There were problems with the speed of processing applications in the NDLS when the...

Other Questions: Driver Licences (2 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: What is required is on the website and it is a very understandable website. If there are particular cases the Deputy wishes to bring to my attention she should give the details to my office and I will take them up with the NDLS. The tender required that at least 95% of the population be within 50 km of a centre. It is important to bear in mind that unlike under the previous regime one can...