Results 30,741-30,760 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (26 Nov 2013)

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 a matter for the local authority. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Banking (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: There are currently two areas of my Department which accept payment for services by credit or Debit card, these being the Driver and Vehicle Computer services division and the Mercantile Marine Office. The Driver and Vehicle Computer Services Division of the Department processed in excess of 2.56 million motor tax applications with a value of €533 million in 2012,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: There is at present no legislation governing this area from a road safety perspective and none is proposed. If the Deputy has a proposal for legislation in this area, I would be happy to consider it.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  The issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Iarnrod Eireann.  Noting this I have referred the Deputy’s question to Iarnrod Eireann for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority Funding (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) reported a surplus of €2.117 million in its Annual Report 2012.  The RSA has statutory responsibility for driver testing, driver licensing, commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing and the National Car Testing Service (NCT) as well as road safety research and education. Since its establishment in 2001, the Authority has been funded...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Noise Pollution Issues (26 Nov 2013)

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: Tourism Promotion (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational one for Tourism Ireland Limited as the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas, working with Fáilte Ireland as appropriate in relation to particular products and niches. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 678 and 679 together. Bridge strikes are a matter for the owner of the bridge and for Road Authorities i.e. the National Roads Authority and the Local Authorities. Most bridge strikes occur on rail over road bridges which are owned by Irish Rail. The impact of bridge strikes has been raised with road haulage representative bodies in the context of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Events (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The question of protection of human rights overseas is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I have no function in relation to the arrangements or location for the hosting of the soccer world cup. I understand that FIFA has in recent days issued a statement arising from the issues raised in the Amnesty report.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Maintenance Issues (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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.  Within its capital budget, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Noise Pollution Issues (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I have no statutory function in this matter. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) for direct reply on the basis that the IAA has certain statutory responsibilities for noise related issues at Dublin Airport. Please contact my Private Office if you do not hear back from the IAA within 10 working days. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roadworthiness Testing (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Agricultural vehicles are currently not subject to vehicle testing in Ireland.  However, under the terms of draft legislation proposed by the EU Commission, which is under discussion in Brussels at present, wheeled tractors capable of travelling at speeds in excess of 40 km/h may be subject to annual roadworthiness testing. Separately, legislative proposals are being developed by...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Development Projects (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is represented on the IWAK Study Group which comprises a broad range of parties interested in the development of the Airport. The Group has made good progress with its work and is currently finalising its report which I expect will be submitted to the Taoiseach and me before Christmas.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar:  While the issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, I have been in contact with the company in relation to the matter. Iarnród Éireann has indicated that it is in the process of implementing new energy saving fleet utilisation initiatives on its DART and Intercity services to generate fuel...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Staff (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 686, 687, 694 and 695 together. The issues raised are matters for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Staff (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 688 to 693, inclusive, together.   The objective of Government is to ensure a system of public transport throughout the country that is as efficient and as widespread as possible and the National Transport Authority has a key role in realising this objective. The award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts for the bus market falls under...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann 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: Road Tolls (26 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Since 1999 various EU directives have set common rules on distance-related tolls and time-based user charges (vignettes) for HGVs for the use of certain infrastructure. It is open to any Member State to introduce road use charges if it wishes. Road charging is an important option in relation to funding of roads infrastructure, particularly in the context of ensuring that out of state hauliers...

Road Traffic Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It is not opposed.

Road Traffic Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This has been a very interesting debate and it has been interesting to hear what Deputies have had to say. Deputy Finian McGrath mentioned the specific case of Shane O'Farrell. I do not want to go into too much detail because I am very conscious of the separation of powers between the Legislature and the courts and the fact that the courts have to hear all of the evidence and all of the...