Results 32,341-32,360 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (23 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together. I am aware of concerns raised by those involved in the photo ID business in relation to the new driver licence regime.   The Government decided in 2011 to centralise driver licence provision, following an examination of the options for driver licensing which found that a centralised system would offer enhanced security...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (23 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the promotion of public awareness of road safety and measures including the advancement of education, relating to the promotion of the safe use of roads, including co-operation with local authorities and other persons in this...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licences (23 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I recently revised the fee structure for driver licences, the first time this has been done since 1989.   The new fee structure takes account of the fact that there was no increase since 1989 – which has left the driver licensing service underfunded – and also takes account of EU legislation regarding categories and periods of licence, which came into effect from 19...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Airports (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As the Senator will be aware, the Government decided in November to proceed with the separation of Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, and to merge the airport with a restructured Shannon Development to form a new integrated Shannon entity in public ownership, "NewCo". This will grant Shannon Airport the freedom to determine its own future in the best interests of the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: State Airports (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: All I can add is that Ireland West Airport Knock is a regional airport and is extremely important to Connacht and the north west but from a national point of view it accounts for only about 2% of air traffic to Ireland. If it was not a regional airport it would not be eligible for "opex" or "capex" funding or State aid. If it was a strategic airport, such as Dublin Airport which accounts...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Road Safety (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Senator for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity to address it in the House. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in regard to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads are statutory matters for the National Roads Authority, NRA, under the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (22 Jan 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: Driving Licence Renewals (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As and from 12th January 2013, the Road Safety Authority has become the national driver licensing authority and has responsibility for all aspects of the service. Since 2010, driver licence application forms have required the provision of a PPSN. I understand that the purpose of requesting a PPSN is to provide a unique individual indicator for the individual in dealings with the State on a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Maintenance (22 Jan 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: Driving Test Regulations (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The operation of the driver testing service is a matter for the Road Safety Authority.  I understand from the Authority that there is nothing in their rules which specifically permits or prohibits a driver tester from making a recommendation of a particular instructor.  However, the RSA have also indicated that driver testers are trained at induction stage, and again during any...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Signage (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  Responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of individual roads 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Promotion (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The over-arching goal of national aviation policy as outlined in my Department's Statement of Strategy 2011-2014 is to ensure that it supports Ireland's economic and social goals in a safe, competitive, cost-effective and sustainable manner and ensures maximum connectivity between Ireland and the rest of the world. Within this context, one of my key priorities...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Insurance Fraud (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: My Department's role with regard to motor insurance is confined to the enactment of policy relating to the relevant Road Traffic Acts. I have no role in the regulation of the motor insurance industry. Motor insurance is provided as a private contract between the supplier and the customer. Any fraudulent activity by a claimant is a matter for the insurance company to investigate.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 698 together. Letters notifying successful applicants of their provisional allocations under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme are issuing from my Department to the club contacts at the moment.  These letters will set out the terms and conditions that must be met prior to formal approval of the grant after which drawdown can commence.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: All unsuccessful applicants under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme have been notified by letter.  If an application was deemed invalid the letter sets out the reasons why the application was deemed invalid.  If an applicant requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.  This application was deemed invalid for 2 reasons.  Firstly, the applicant did not have a lease from Galway City Council for the land where the facilities were to be developed at the time of the application. A letter would have been required from the club's solicitor confirming that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.  The application was deemed invalid as the applicant did not provide evidence of the required amount of 15% own funding.  The letter provided by the applicant's bank did not confirm that a loan had been approved.  Advice on the forms of evidence of funding that are accepted as...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.  The application was deemed invalid as the applicant did not satisfy the requirements relating to the ownership of the land where the proposed development was to take place.  All applications for capital works of over €25,000 were required to provide a solicitor's letter...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The organisation referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.  This application was deemed invalid as the amount sought was unrealistically high and the project could not be broken down.  A letter setting out the reason why the application was deemed invalid has been sent to the club contact.  If the club requires any more...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme (22 Jan 2013)

Leo Varadkar: The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.  The application was unsuccessful in securing a grant, but it was not deemed invalid, i.e. it met the minimum requirements and was considered for funding.  My Department received 2,170 applications seeking €229 million in funding.  In the context of available funds of...