Results 30,201-30,220 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has statutory responsibility for the regulation of safety standards of civil aviation in the State. Ireland has an excellent record and reputation in aviation safety and I am determined to maintain and defend that and ensure that public confidence is not undermined. The importance of ensuring that all relevant information on aviation safety is reported,...

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

Leo Varadkar: Any question of either changing a person’s name, as legally established, or establishing different recognised forms for alternative Irish and English versions of the name of the same individual, is not a matter for the RSA, my Department, or any other body under the aegis of my Department.  I shall therefore confine myself to the requirements for the driving licence. The RSA has...

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

Leo Varadkar: On 4 December 2013 in Brussels, I met with Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas and later with officials from DG MOVE and the TEN-T Executive Agency, who confirmed their positive views towards DART Underground. DART Underground has been included in the new Ten-T Core Network and is part of one of the nine Core Corridors crossing the EU. This means that  if DART Underground...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 781 and 782 together. Funding for delivery of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of cycle lanes in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) is a matter for the National Transport Authority. The NTA can provide details of expenditure on cycling routes in the GDA and I have asked them to forward the information to you...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations Upgrade (18 Feb 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 (GDA), such as improving access and upgrading platforms at Dublin Connolly...

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

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  While the issue of reduced carriages is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), I have been in contact with both in relation to this issue. I have also  raised public concerns about...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Career Breaks (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The information as requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. Duration Number of Staff  0-6 months 0 6-12 months 2 1-2 years 2 2-3 years 0 4-5 years 1 5 years plus 0 There are two further staff who have completed their career break and requested a return to my Department.  As part of the Department's efforts to comply with the Employment Control Framework...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Sick Leave (18 Feb 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The information as requested by the Deputy is set out in the table.  - 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total uncertified sick 582.97 477.06 439.63 367.36 Average uncertified per employee 1.10 0.96 0.89 0.78 Total certified sick 5464.52 6377.38 5051.15 4007.46 Average certified sick per employee 10.33 7.60 10.17 8.47 Total 6047.49 6854.44 5490.78 4374.82 Average Per Employee 11.43 13.75...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Local Improvement Scheme has been reviewed and improved in 2014. This Scheme provides funding for road and laneways that councils have not taken in charge.  However, the maintenance and improvement of these roads is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. As indicated to all local authorities on 24 January 2014, the Local Improvement Scheme was reinstated but...

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

Leo Varadkar: Exchequer support for regional airports is provided under the Regional Airports Programme which includes  the Capital Expenditure Grants (CAPEX) Scheme, the Operational Expenditure Subvention (OPEX) Scheme and a Scheme for subventing Public Service Obligations (PSO) air services operating between Kerry and Dublin and Donegal and Dublin. Capital expenditure is focussed on safety...

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

Leo Varadkar: I do not set public transport fares.  It is the responsibility of the regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), to adjudicate on applications from the CIE companies and the Railway Procurement Agency for fare increases or changes to fares.  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...

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

Leo Varadkar: Section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 provides that a person who is served with a summons in respect of a fixed charge offence may pay the amount stated on the fixed charge notice not later than 7 days before the date specified for the hearing of the charge in court. The section has not yet been commenced as some technical and administrative measures to give effect to the section remain to...

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

Leo Varadkar: On the basis of an agreement reached with my Department some years ago, Disabled Parking Permits are issued on behalf of my Department by the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland and I have no function in the matter. The bodies concerned should be contacted directly in relation to the application mentioned in the Deputy's question.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Maintenance Issues (18 Feb 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 is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the above position, I...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 801, 814 and 856 together. 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 commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing arrangements. In accordance with current...

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

Leo Varadkar: CHC Ireland, the company which provides the Search & Rescue helicopter service to the Irish Coast Guard is responsible for employment within its own company. From a safety point of view, the expectation is that CHC Ireland would employ the most qualified individual for any vacant position, irrespective of nationality. I understand from CHC Ireland...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 803 and 804 together. 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...

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

Leo Varadkar: None of the offices on any premises occupied by the Department have been swept for electronic or any other type of surveillance or bugging equipment since March 2011.

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

Leo Varadkar: The issue referred to by the Deputy is an operational matter for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). As such, this question has been referred directly to the DAA for reply to the Deputy. If a response has not been received within 10 working days, please advise my private office.

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

Leo Varadkar: The most significant projects which are due to be completed on the regional and local road network in 2014 are the Enfield to Edenderry Road Improvement scheme, the current phase of Clarke's Hill / Moneygourney scheme and the New Twopothouse to Doneraile scheme. No major projects are due to commence on the regional and local road network this year as monies are being focused on...