Results 31,141-31,160 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I have recently received the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation's report entitled 'South East Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) 2013 -2023''. When I, my Department and its agencies have had time to properly consider the Report in full, I will provide a reasoned response to the Committee in response to each of the recommendations directed under my remit.  

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Calming Measures (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: While my Department is responsible for general legislation in regard to traffic matters and would be supportive of any initiatives designed to improve road safety, it has no direct role in relation to the installation of traffic and speed calming measures, which are matters for the relevant road authority. I anticipate that the Speed Limit Review Group will report to me shortly and I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The A5 project was discussed at the last NSMC Transport Sectoral meeting in April this year and will discussed at the next meeting scheduled for November this year. In the interim officials from my Department attended a meeting of the Cross Border Road Projects Steering Group on the 2nd September 2013.  At that meeting the Northern Ireland officials indicated that work on a revised...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: EU Directive 126/2006 required Member States to introduce a Plastic Card Licence System commencing in January 2013.  Under the EU Directive, the information to be contained on the face of the new form of licence is uniform across Member States and there is little leeway to add further information as the available space on the card is very small.  In Ireland, we decided to use...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am satisfied that the tourism agencies are taking the necessary steps to support the sector at regional and national level. The most recent CSO figures for January to August showed a 6.5% increase in trips to Ireland compared to the same period in 2012 whereas the overseas revenue figures (excluding access fares) for the first three months of 2013 rose by 12% over...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Fines (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Section 101B of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, as inserted by Section 9 of the Dublin Transport. Authority (Dissolution) Act, 1987 provides for the clamping and/or towing of vehicles by local authorities or their agents on public roads or local authority car parks. The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations, 1998 provide that the prohibition on the stopping or...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbour Authorities Staff (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware that the individual is in dispute with their employer and sought to invoke section 39(3) of the Harbours Act 1996. As I indicated in a letter to the individual dated 12 June 2013, valid disputes under section 39(3) of the Harbours Act are a matter for determination by 'the Minister for Finance after consultation with the Minister'. I understand that the role...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: The Gathering Expenditure (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: In the course of the annual expenditure estimates, Fáilte Ireland was allocated a provision of €5m in 2012 to fund the preparation of the Gathering and a further €7m in 2013 for the operation of the initiative. With regard to the total costs incurred to date, this matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, and  I have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services Provision (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The answer to this question has not  changed since the Deputy asked the same question of me on 4 July last. Improving Ireland's international connectivity is a key aspect of national aviation policy and this policy is promoted in all contacts I and my Department have with the aviation industry.  The Ireland-US air services market is fully liberalised and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Statistics (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: A total of 161 people died in road traffic collisions in 2012. Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for publicity with regard to road safety. Noting this, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haddington Road Agreement Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Employees of the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), which is a commercial state body, are not covered by the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA). However, this matter will have to be reviewed in the context of the proposed merger of the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the RPA. My Department has had regular engagement with the RPA in the context of the proposed merger. I have not had...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Programme Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of public transport services are operational matters for the relevant transport provider in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), which is the licensing and regulatory body for public transport.  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 within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Legislation (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum vehicle height limit at 4.65 metres. Following a public consultation undertaken prior to the completion of the Regulations, it was agreed that a five year derogation from that limit would apply to vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Official Languages Act 2003 Compliance (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: With the addition of the Tourism and Sport functions to the Department's portfolio, tenders were sought for exterior signs for the Department's Office buildings. A contract was placed with the lowest tenderer. These signs were in compliance with the Official Languages Act with appropriate  prominence given to the Irish language. The issue of internal signage is under constant review and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 631 and 668 together. At end September the number of fatalities on Irish roads was higher than for the equivalent period in 2012 and the indications are that the figures for 2013 as a whole will show an increase on last year. I am concerned at this increase, particularly following a period of seven years of continuous reduction. The Road Safety...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Process (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Attached is a list of the Acts or specific provisions of Acts under his Department that have not yet been commenced: No. 9 of 2005 Sea Pollution (Hazardous Substances) (Compensation) Act 2005 No. 586 of 2007   Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Part 3 and Schedule 2 My Department is currently preparing draft heads of a bill, subject to the obtaining of legal advice from the Attorney General's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Directives (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The European Commission has initiated five infringement proceedings on compliance aspects or incomplete transposition of EU Directives that fall within the remit of my Department. Officials from my Department are continuing to liaise with the European Commission on these cases with a view to addressing the issues raised by the Commission. There is no case where the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Bodies (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for Iarnród 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: Departmental Bodies (1 Oct 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. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland 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: Public Transport Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for Bus Éireann.  I have referred 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.