Results 30,161-30,180 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Air Accident Investigations (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It is important to reiterate that no recommendations were made to Irish authorities or bodies at all, and I would not like to see people bringing Irish industrial relations issues into what was a really tragic incident for which Irish authorities had no responsibility. The purpose of this and any associated investigation is not to apportion blame or liability. A safety recommendation in no...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Air Accident Investigations (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: That depends on circumstances and there are variations from case to case. In this case it was not the IAA but rather the Spanish authorities that were responsible. The Irish Aviation Authority is responsible for regulating Aer Lingus and Ryanair. There are some exceptions, however, because IASA and the ICAO have a role also. The entire sector is governed by international conventions and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Pension Provisions (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is correct. There have been problems with the pension fund for a very long time, for longer than I have been in office, and I am determined to ensure the issue is resolved under my watch. I want to make sure people receive their pensions and that we do not face disruption at the airports. I must also protect the taxpayer as any contribution from the companies into the pension...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Air Accident Investigations (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for the question. As the third anniversary of the tragic accident at Cork Airport has just passed, I extend my deepest sympathy to the relatives of the six passengers and air crew who lost their lives and the six passengers who were injured. The investigation into this accident was conducted by the air accident investigation unit of my Department and I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Pension Provisions (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: A resolution of the funding difficulties in the Irish airlines superannuation scheme, IASS, where there is currently a substantial and unsustainable deficit of over €700 million, is a matter for the trustees, the companies participating in the scheme, the members and the pensions board. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have continually encouraged all parties to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Pension Provisions (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy says, the State is the sole shareholder in DAA and Shannon, as well as being a minority shareholder in Aer Lingus. There is a further employee SRT which no longer exists, as the Deputy will be aware. I would not like the Deputy to think, however, that I am disengaged from this; I certainly am not. I have had meetings with the companies at the highest level and meetings with...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: A number of issues should be borne in mind. At the end of last year, 307,849 goods vehicles were registered for tax in Ireland but only 9,500 of these were heavier than 12 tonnes. This charge will only apply to approximately 3% of Irish registered goods vehicles, therefore, although that is still a significant number. Britain has decided to introduce a relatively old-fashioned and time...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: We have more or less agreed that two roads straddling the Border will be exempt. I would also like to exempt the A5 for exactly the reasons identified by Deputy Dooley, namely, because through traffic from the northern part of County Donegal travels through Northern Ireland along that road. I will be raising that issue with my UK counterpart in London on Thursday. I have not discussed the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry Regulation (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Under EU legislation, it is open to any member state to introduce road user charges if it wishes. Road charging is an important option for the funding of roads infrastructure, particularly in the context of ensuring that out-of-state hauliers contribute to the costs of a country’s road infrastructure. The new UK road user levy introduces a charge on all HGVs weighing 12 tonnes...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Regulations (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Section 101B of the Road Traffic Act 1961 provides for the clamping and/or towing of vehicles by local authorities or their agents on public roads. The current maximum de-clamping fee that may be charged by local authorities was set by Regulation in 1998 at £65 which, with the introduction of the euro, converted to €80. I have no proposals to increase the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Calming Measures (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have no plans to introduce congestion charging in the cities outlined.  Ultimately, any such plans would be a matter for the local authorities concerned. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Height Limits (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 ,107, 778, 812 and 825 together. Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 sets the maximum vehicle height limit at 4.65 m 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 1 November 2008. The derogation was...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to answer Question 106 and 113 together. The Government attaches great importance to the continued operation of Bus Átha Cliath, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann. Their services are vital to many of our citizens and to the Irish economy.  Unfortunately, CIÉ is in a precarious financial situation and is dependent on continued...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109,121  and 133 together. The National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA).  Neither I nor my Department is involved in the processing of driver licence applications. However, I do appoint the board of the RSA and they receive some funding from my Department.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Community Involvement Scheme (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 787, 813 and 858 together. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (including footpaths) 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 roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Of the two aviation regulatory bodies under the aegis of my Department, the Commission for Aviation Regulation is already subject to Freedom of Information legislation. The other regulatory body – the Irish Aviation Authority – is not subject to FOI. Ireland has an excellent record and reputation in aviation safety and I am determined to maintain and defend that and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Between 18 December last year and the present time, 8 storms have affected Ireland and caused significant damage and disruption. The local authorities for coastal counties have reported significant damage to roads and other public structures near coasts. The most seriously affected were western and southern coastal counties, where many piers, promenades, sea walls, rock armour and adjacent...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 129  together. 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. Following the comprehensive review of capital expenditure carried out in 2011 a decision was taken to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has the overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. There is no suggestion that the current regulations governing the National Car Test are not appropriate to the task of ensuring...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Penalty Points System (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In mid-2013, the Minister for Justice and Equality and I asked a Working Group chaired by the Courts Service and including representatives from my Department, the Department of Justice and Equality, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority, to examine a number of issues mainly related to the fixed charge and penalty points system.  The Group was...