Results 32,101-32,120 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Harbours and Piers (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. Policy relating to regional harbours, published in the Government's ports policy statement in 2005, is that the continued operation of harbours under the outdated provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance. It proposed that harbours would best achieve their potential through their transfer to...

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: They wanted to tax the pension levy.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Legislation (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 743 and 744 together. My Department is currently engaged with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on the drafting of a new Road Traffic Bill.  Neither the issue of time-limits within which drug and alcohol testing must take place nor the question of making leaving the scene of an accident where damage to persons or property occurs an indictable...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.  I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: An overall budget of €9.133 million has been allocated  to the Rural Transport Programme by my Department  for 2013.  I understand that  €129,353 of the 2013 budget has been allocated to Westmeath Rural Community Transport  from January to June, 2013, with a further proposed allocation of €129,353 from July to December....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Following a Government decision, the driver licensing service has been centralised under the Road Safety Authority (RSA). With effect from 12th January 2013, the RSA is now the sole driver licensing authority for the State. The RSA has decided to operate this function under the title National Driver Licence Service. The service will be provided through three service contracts and by the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The development and promotion of particular tourism niches and markets are operational matters for the tourism agencies.  However, with regard to the matter raised by the Deputy, I am advised that approximately two out of every five visitors to Ireland are under 35 years of age, clearly demonstrating the importance of younger visitors for Irish tourism and justifying the tourism...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The regulation of the taxi industry, including issues pertaining to the transfer of small public service vehicle (SPSV)  licences, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.  Since January 2009 SPSV licences, including vehicle licences for taxis, wheelchair accessible taxis, hackneys, wheelchair...

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

Leo Varadkar: Current legislation is clear in relation to the testing of drivers for the presence of alcohol. No legislative provision has been made for Garda discretion. The Road Traffic Acts provide for the mandatory preliminary breath testing of drivers by the Gardaí in certain circumstances, including collisions where death or injury has occurred. The Acts also provide for the testing of drivers...

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

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród 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.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The Regulations regarding new vehicle categories for driver licensing purposes which came into effect on 19 January 2013 are set out in the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers)(Amendment)(No.2) Regulations of 2011 (S.I. No. 483 of 2011).  These represent the transposition into Irish law of EU legislation, specifically parts of Directive 2006/126/EC.  Category W is defined as 'work...

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

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Improvements Scheme (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 754 and 755 together. The Local Improvements Scheme provides funding for the maintenance and improvement of private roadways which are, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner.   State grants available to supplement expenditure by local authorities on the maintenance of regional and local roads have been reduced significantly...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 756 and 757 together. The detailed information requested by the Deputy regarding CEO remuneration is available in the annual report and accounts of each agency. I can confirm, however, that in the light of stated Government policy no bonuses were paid to the CEOs of the agencies under the remit of my Department in respect of 2012. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a 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: Road Project Contracts (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the roads programme. The implementation of individual national road projects, including the provision of service areas, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.  More specifically, Section 54 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Provision (26 Feb 2013)

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 integrated and accessible public transport infrastructure  as well as the  promotion of cycling and walking as a means of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Applications (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The substance of this question, namely the operation of the driver licensing system, is a matter for the Road Safety Authority.  I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of bus services is an operational matter for Bus Eireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) 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: Driving Licences (26 Feb 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The centralised national driver licensing system under the Road Safety Authority (RSA) came into effect on 12 January 2013.      The new system involves three outsourced elements, a card production facility, a front office for engaging with the customer, and a back office to process applications.  All three are overseen by a specialist unit based in the RSA...