Results 29,921-29,940 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: Action 64 of the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 commits the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to 'research emerging in-road and in-vehicle road safety technologies and make recommendations on their introduction'.  Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), which includes devices that assist drivers comply with speed limits, is being researched by the RSA and this also been identified as a...

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

Leo Varadkar: The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of 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: Pilot Training Courses (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The failure of the Pilot Training College Waterford, a privately-owned and operated flight training school, to meet its contractual obligations to its students  was disgraceful and I have every sympathy for the students and their families who suffered considerable losses following the collapse of the college.   Similar difficulties have been  experienced in some...

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

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and  funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Legislation (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I met with an interested party last week in relation to a proposal to introduce electric tuk tuk tours, aimed at the tourist market, to Dublin and the National Transport Authority (NTA) also held a meeting regarding this proposal. The NTA advised the interested party that vehicles of this nature do not meet the requirements of the Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) regulations...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 639 and 642 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) on 1st December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Details of the regional and local road grant payments to County Councils are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library.  Details of the 2014 regional and local road grant allocations to each county council are also available in the Dáil library.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (1 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 Fáilte Ireland and are not subject to my approval.  I have referred the Deputy's Question to both Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department's capital vote for 2014 is over €980 million, some of which is being funded from the proceeds of the sale of the National Lottery Licence announced at Budget time.  Decisions around the proceeds from the sale of Bord Gais is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in consultation with his Cabinet colleagues. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Events (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The FAI are preparing a bid to host part of the European Soccer Championships in 2020.  The bid must be submitted to UEFA by 25 April 2014 and the outcome will be known by late September.  I fully support the bid.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Mountain Rescue Service (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I wish at the outset to acknowledge the excellent work done by mountain rescue organisations in Ireland. My Department is responsible for administering payment of grants to all the mountain rescue teams in Ireland. These teams, staffed by volunteers,  are called upon to operate in all weather conditions and provide a hugely important service. The grant scheme is managed by the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and a response will be provided within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (1 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 initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Ireland has been progressively introducing a Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) for some time.  GDLS is a stepped approach to the driver learning process which focuses on acquisition of skills and experience rather than solely on passing a driving test. There is no one internationally accepted model of GDLS.  Instead, it consists of a number of components which can be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Services (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus 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: Tax Code (1 Apr 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, the reduction in the travel tax to zero that was announced as part of Budget 2014 will be effective from April 2014. This was designed to generate additional air capacity and services to Ireland for the business and tourism sectors. 2013, the year of the Gathering, was the best year for inbound tourism since 2008. I intend 2014 to be even better...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (1 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. Given the current financial position it has been necessary to reduce the grant allocations for major...

Garda Inspectorate Report on the Fixed Charge Processing System: Statements (26 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It is important to note that the fixed charge notice and penalty points system has operated extremely well since its introduction in 2002 and enjoyed widespread public support. This is evidenced by the fact that more than 70% of those who receive a fixed charge notice pay within 28 days. The system plays a very important role in enhancing road safety, but it is essential that it be applied...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Height Limits (26 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 sets the maximum vehicle height limit at 4.65 metres and was signed into law by my predecessor, Minister Noel Dempsey. These regulations allowed a five year derogation from that limit for vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1st November 2008. The derogation was introduced to allow a 5-year period within which vehicles operating at heights in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Clamping (26 Mar 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme for Government contains a commitment “to legislate to regulate the vehicle clamping industry”. Therefore, in late 2011 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...