Results 31,221-31,240 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roadside Memorials (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Under Section 13 (10) (a) (iv) (i) of the Roads Act 1993, a person may not place or deposit any material or thing on a public road without lawful authority or the consent of the road authority.  This would include any roadside gravestone or memorial. In relation to regional and local roads, the local authority is the relevant road authority whilst in regard to national roads, it is the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The objective of Government is to ensure a system of public transport throughout the country that is as efficient and as widespread as possible. In relation to the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts for the bus market, this falls under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA).  The NTA is currently considering how best publicly subvented bus services will be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The question of airport capability of accepting an A380 is a matter for each individual airport, in terms of operations and the Irish Aviation Authority in respect of aviation safety oversight. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Irish Aviation Authority, Dublin Airport Authority, and Shannon Airport Authority, agencies within my remit, for direct reply. Please advise my private...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Any device that poses a distraction or impairs the act of driving is a cause for concern. Accordingly, I have asked the Road Safety Authority to examine and monitor the development of such technology and in particular how it is being managed in other countries. Following receipt of the Authority's advice I will consult with the Garda Siochána when deciding whether or not to ban the use...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States of America have been in contact this year with the Irish Coast Guard. This contact was initiated by NASA with a view to ascertaining the Search and Rescue capabilities available in Ireland's Search and Rescue Region.  This is a standard approach from organisations such as NASA as they need to factor in these...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1628, 1678 and 1679 together. The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I do not propose to ask the NTA to extend the deadline for submissions to the consultation on the Draft Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018 . I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority Staff (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The new Chief Executive Officer of the Road Safety Authority will be appointed following a Public Appointments Service competition under Section 17 (4) of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Staff (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for Dublin Bus 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: Air Services Provision (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The air transport market between Ireland and North America is a highly liberalised and competitive market. The fact that all four of the big US international carriers currently fly into Ireland is testament to this. The market has also grown significantly in 2013 with tourist visits to Ireland from North America up over 18% so far this year and overall seat capacity up over 25%. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The information sought by the Deputy comprises data covering a nine-year period which will require to be collated. The data in respect of Coast Guard callouts  in County Wicklow will require to be isolated from the overall records. This exercise will take some time to complete but I have asked my officials to progress it as quickly as feasible and I will forward the information to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Development Projects (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised by the Deputy in relation to the provision of an additional runway at Dublin Airport falls within the operational responsibilities of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and I have referred the question to the company for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten working...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Integrated Ticketing (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing Leap card system. I understand that the NTA is working closely with the Department of Social Protection to integrate the Public Services Card with the Leap card scheme for those with free travel entitlements. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Official Engagements (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Owing to a prior commitment, I was unable to attend this meeting but Ireland was represented at official level. The Council discussions on this issue on Monday the 16th of September 2013 were of an informal nature and were arranged for the purposes of holding a preliminary exchange of views on the Commission’s proposals.  No decision or agreement was scheduled to be reached at...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pension Provisions (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I am satisfied that the Irish Aviation  Authority (IAA) is taking the appropriate steps to addresss the deficit in its  pension fund. Following an extensive consultation process between the IAA and its staff unions, agreement was reached on a remedial plan in 2010 and subsequently accepted by all parties, including the Pensions...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pension Provisions (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The CIÉ Group operates two defined benefit pension schemes, the Executive scheme and the Regular Wages scheme. The total deficit in the schemes at 31st December 2012, as reported in the 2012 published Accounts, was €491.9m. I met the Chairperson and officials from CIÉ last week and received an update on the deficit in the pensions schemes. I was advised at that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pension Provisions (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS) is a multi-employer scheme involving the employees of Aer Lingus, Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) and the now non-operational SRT Technics. Pension entitlements and pensions in payment under this scheme are primarily matters for the Trustees, the members and the companies participating...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy is available from my Department's website at the following link . The information at this link is updated regularly.  In view of the current serious economic climate,  it is the policy of my Department that advertising/promotions in the national press or other print or radio media, other than in exceptional...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Appointments (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1641 to 1643, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy in relation to Board appointments and vacancies is available on my Department's website at the following link: . The statutory provisions for such appointments are set out under the relevant Act for each agency. Details of the approved fees for each Board are also set out at...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: This is a matter for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the companies 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 (18 Sep 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Section 62 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 provides that the National Transport Authority (NTA) may designate a bus station in the Greater Dublin Area to be a shared facility. 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.