Results 33,061-33,080 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (25 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for Bus Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority and not one in which I have any role.  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: Pension Provisions (25 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The terms and conditions of the pension schemes for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) employees are a matter in the first instance for the Board of CIÉ. I have been informed by CIÉ that the rules of the Córas Iompair Éireann Pension Scheme for Regular Wages Staff allow staff members to join the scheme before their 50th Birthday.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Numbers (25 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department grants leave of absence in accordance with 'Circular 18/1998: Special leave without pay for Career Break', which is available on the Government website at the following link:  . For absences shorter than the 6 months minimum for career breaks, my Department grants leave of absence e.g. parental and maternity leave, in accordance with the appropriate circulars. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pension Provisions (25 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The question refers to the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS) which is a multi-employer scheme involving Aer Lingus, the Dublin Airport Authority and SR Technics. Resolution of the funding difficulties in the scheme is a matter for the trustees, the companies participating in the scheme and the members and I understand that the parties are...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Renewals (25 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: It depends on the age of the applicant.  Applicants for a first learner permit must provide an eyesight report.  If that report indicates that they must wear corrective lenses then this is noted on their licence and follows them through the licensing system, and will be noted on subsequent learner permits and on their full licence, when they obtain it.  They should...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Disabled Drivers (20 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: There is no funding available in my Department to subsidise fees for driving lessons for any category of drivers. There are tax reliefs available on the purchase and use of vehicles for drivers with disabilities, as well as a grant scheme available through the Health Service Executive (HSE) to assist drivers with disabilities with the cost of an adapted vehicle in cases where they need...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Appointments to State Boards (20 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The State’s shareholding of 25.11% of ordinary share capital in Aer Lingus entitles the Minister, acting through the Minister for Finance in his capacity as shareholder, to nominate up to three persons as “Minister’s Nominees” on the Board of the Company. There are two directors currently serving as Minister's Nominees - Mr Francis Hackett and Dr Colin Hunt. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Free Travel Scheme Eligibility (20 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The matter is primarily an operational one for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance working in conjunction with the  tourism agencies.  I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnród Eireann, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for direct reply.  She should inform my private office if she does not receive a reply within ten working days.

Confidence in the Minister for Health: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (19 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I want to speak on this motion, both as a politician and as a medical doctor, in support of my ministerial colleague, Deputy James Reilly. The health Ministry is one of the most challenging in any Government and even more so at a time when the need for reform is so great and availability of funds so limited. Deputy James Reilly sought to become Minister for Health. He wanted the job,...

Confidence in the Minister for Health: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (19 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Despite the fact the Minister, Deputy Reilly, has had to operate within a budget which has been reduced by €1.75 billion, which is almost my entire budget for the past two years, and that he has had to operate with 6,700 fewer staff, the system has not only been maintained in some areas, it has even been improved. More people are being treated in our hospitals. There has been a 7%...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Services (19 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of bus services is an operational matter for Dublin Bus and not one in which I have any role. l  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: Rail Services (19 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for Irish Rail in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and not one in which I have any role.  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: Ministerial Staff (19 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The salary costs for 2009 and 2010 for the Ministers and the Ministers of State in the Department of Transport private and constituency offices are set out in Tables 1 - 3. TABLE 1 – Minister Dempsey Staffing Office 2009 annual salary   €’000 2010   annual salary €’000 Private 470 454 Constituency 189 128  ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Services (19 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of bus services is an operational matter for Dublin Bus and not one in which I have any role. l  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: Rail Services (19 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for Irish Rail in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and not one in which I have any role.  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: Ministerial Staff (19 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The salary costs for 2009 and 2010 for the Ministers and the Ministers of State in the Department of Transport private and constituency offices are set out in Tables 1 - 3. TABLE 1 – Minister Dempsey Staffing Office 2009 annual salary   €’000 2010   annual salary €’000 Private 470 454 Constituency 189 128  ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Coast Guard (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1871 and 1906 together. I recognise the huge contribution and personal commitment that Coast Guard staff and volunteers at all sites around the state have made, and continue to make, to the successful delivery of Ireland's maritime safety and emergency response service. The recent Value for Money reviews of the Coast Guard and Marine Survey Office in my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 makes it compulsory for a person, other than an exempted person, driving a motorised vehicle to be covered by third party motor insurance. The terms and conditions of motor insurance policies are a contractual matter between the person insured and the insurer. Third party claims against any insured driver have to be met by the insurer under the terms...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Provision (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Local authorities currently have the power to indent pavements to allow for parking.  In correspondence I have had with local authorities, including Dublin City Council, in regard to the issue of partial parking on pavements, I have pointed out that this option exists. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Penalty Point System (18 Sep 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Review of the Irish Penalty Points System, which I published in June, contains recommendations for the adjustment in the level of penalty points for certain road traffic offences.  I have asked the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications to examine the Review and provide me with comments on its recommendations by the end of this month. Once I have...