Results 30,901-30,920 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Issues (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum height limit of vehicles in this country at 4.65 metres.   Following public consultation undertaken prior to the completion of the Regulations, the intention to introduce a 4.65m limit was announced in January 2007. Following representations...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together. The planning, design and implementation of individual national 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 have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply.  Please...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Agencies Staff Recruitment (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The process for appointing a chief executive officer to the Road Safety Authority is set out in the Road Safety Authority Act 2006.  Section 17(2) of the Act provides that the Board shall appoint the chief executive with the consent of the Minister.   I understand that the Board of the Authority initiated a selection process with the assistance of the Public Appointments...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Legislation (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum height limit of vehicles in this country at 4.65 metres.   Following public consultation undertaken prior to the completion of the Regulations, the intention to introduce a 4.65m limit was announced in January 2007. Following representations...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services Provision (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The zero rate travel tax initiative is part of a process aimed at generating new airline routes into Ireland and will come into effect from April 2014. There has been a positive response to the initiative from airlines so far with Ryanair and Aer Lingus Regional both announcing details of new routes and increased services from Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Knock. I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Events (6 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar:   The Programme for Government includes a commitment that event tourism will be prioritised in order to continue to bring major events to Ireland. The hosting of major sports events, both participative and spectator sports, can provide a great showcase for Ireland, drive international visitor numbers and the media coverage of sports tourism events...

Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Aer Lingus is a publicly quoted company and decisions regarding its employees and bases are commercial matters for the board and management. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have no role in such decisions. For that reason what I can say is somewhat limited. While the State retains a 25% shareholding in Aer Lingus, this does not...

Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: It is really good news for the Shannon region and Ireland that it has been possible to restore services, including winter transatlantic services, to San Francisco. Part of the reason they failed before is that they were not commercial - the aircraft were too big and the costs were too high. If we want those services to work, they must be commercial and Aer Lingus must make decisions on the...

Topical Issue Debate: Driving Licence Issues (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I met the CEO of the RSA about the matter yesterday and I will meet him again in the next few weeks. I will certainly pass on Deputy O’Donovan’s concerns. It is the case that the number of staff provided did not match the demand. The demand was more than anticipated and as a result in the first week there were not enough staff. The issue is now being resolved. Previously,...

Topical Issue Debate: Driving Licence Issues (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy O'Donovan for raising this important matter. The new national driver licensing service is a matter of widespread public interest and I am happy to have a chance to discuss it here. We must be clear about what has changed in issuing driver licences in the past year. Before January 2013, driver licences were issued by the motor taxation offices of local authorities, involving...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Tests (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1250 and 1251 together.   The subject of the questions is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have referred the Questions to the Authority and asked them to respond  directly to the Deputy. If a reply has not been received within 10 days the Deputy should contact my office..  

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Details of the regional and local road grant payments to county councils including Westmeath County Council are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library.  Details of the 2013 regional and local road grant allocations to each county council are also available in the Dáil library.   With regard to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Job Initiatives (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1253 and 1292 together. As my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has advised the House, the use of a social clause requiring a contractor to recruit a certain percentage of those employed on a public works construction site from the ranks of the long term unemployed is being piloted on a limited number of schools projects under the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Expenditure (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Government has contributed £22 million to date towards the A5 project.  In addition in 2011 the Irish Government undertook to provide £25 million in each of 2015 and 2016 towards the project.  The A5 project was discussed at the last NSMC Transport Sectoral meeting in April this year and will be discussed at the next meeting scheduled for November....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (5 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: Road Safety Issues (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1256 and 1293 together. The arrangements for commercial vehicle testing in the State were comprehensively reviewed in 2007 and the Government decided that the model for delivery of testing by private operators would continue and that the authorisation and supervision of commercial veicle testing would be centralised under the auspices of the Road Safety...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: The Gathering Initiatives (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This year will be a record year in terms of visitors from the United States and Canada.   The Gathering Ireland 2013 aimed primarily to generate additional tourist numbers and revenue in 2013.  However, it also aimed to have a longer-term impact.  We set a target of 325,000 visitors and we are well on the way to meeting that. Air capacity from the US for the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Funding (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The funding available under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for transport within the Multi Annual Framework is scheduled to be €26.2 billion of which €11.3 billion will be allocated specifically for cohesion Member States. The remaining €14.9 billion available to all Member States is an increase of over 50% on the current financial Transport European Networks...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electricity Transmission Network (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1259, 1279 and 1281 together. My Department and I work closely with other Government Departments on all aspects of policy which affect the tourism industry including for example the National Landscape Strategy Steering Committee, under my colleague, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. In addition, Fáilte Ireland is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Stations (5 Nov 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Bus Eireann 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.