Results 33,301-33,320 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar
- Written Answers — Road Safety Strategy: Road Safety Strategy (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: Under Action 35 of the Road Safety Strategy, 2007-2012, my Department is committed to auditing and reporting on the appropriateness and consistency of speed limits across the road network at regular intervals. The audit is designed to examine and improve, where necessary and appropriate, the application by local authorities of speed limits and speed limit signage throughout the country, in...
- Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment...
- Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (3 Jul 2012)
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. Galway County Council has been allocated â¬158,000 towards the...
- Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and...
- Written Answers — Road Improvement Schemes: Road Improvement Schemes (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 722 and 725 together. As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities...
- Written Answers — Aer Lingus Share Capital: Aer Lingus Share Capital (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: This question relates to the proposed offer by Ryanair for the entire share capital of Aer Lingus. As the State is a shareholder in Aer Lingus, I am constrained by the Irish takeover Panel Rules and other requirements in what I can say in relation to the proposed takeover. However, in considering the formal offer, when it is made, the Government will take account of four factors: 1.The views...
- Written Answers — Road Improvement Schemes: Road Improvement Schemes (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 730 and 731 together. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Since 1997, over â¬6.8 billion has been provided by the Exchequer to local authorities for works on regional and local roads. These funds were in addition to...
- Written Answers — Tourism Employment: Tourism Employment (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: I am in regular contact with stakeholders in the tourism sector and am very conscious of the issues affecting tourism businesses. Last year's Jobs Initiative and the Government's Action Plan for Jobs 2012 recognised the vital contribution of tourism to employment, economic activity and foreign revenue earnings. The VAT reduction on a range of tourism services from 13.5% to 9% enhances the...
- Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects, including the provision of signage, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting...
- Written Answers — Driving Licences: Driving Licences (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 738 and 739 together. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for the introduction of the new format driving licence, and there has been some discussion between my Department, members of the medical profession and representatives of the RSA, about issues related to organ donation. There is general agreement about the importance of encouraging organ...
- Smarter Transport (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: The Bill will go to committee, where there will detailed discussion. The take-up for electric vehicles has been pretty slow and there are more charging points than there are vehicles. There is one at my local train station and I do not believe I have ever seen it being used. I am going to try out a car for the weekend and see what it is like. What many people do not know is that the...
- Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 153 together. These questions relate to my engagement with the haulage industry. I know that Deputies Ãine Collins and Heather Humphreys have been seriously involved in issues relating to the haulage sector since their election. I recognise the important role of the sector in the transport of goods and the difficulties it is facing in the current...
- Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is absolutely correct in drawing attention to the importance of the haulage industry. Even for parts of Ireland with a rail service, 95% of all freight is transported by road. This will always be the case in a country of this size and with such dispersed settlement patterns. Haulage is absolutely essential as the country would not function without such a service. We all...
- Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: I am aware the essential user rebate was abolished several years ago. It was of great financial benefit to the haulage industry, as well as to private bus operators and CIE. Its reintroduction would improve the financial position of CIE, private bus operators and the haulage industry, but it is a matter for the Minister for Finance to consider. In coming to a decision on it, he would have...
- Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: I am aware of the issue, but I cannot answer the Deputy's question as it is handled by the Department of Finance and Revenue.
- Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: The rules on cabotage are absurd in what is supposed to be a single European market. In a nutshell, they mean an Irish haulier in Britain or a British haulier in Ireland can only take three journeys between the two countries within a period of seven days. This is absurd, given that there is free movement of people, trade and goods across the European Union. The Benelux countries have an...
- Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: I have not been in contact with the two Departments on this matter. The issue of washed diesel and so on falls to Revenue and the Department of Finance. While it is not one we have discussed around the table yet, the Deputy's suggestion is valid. It is one of those matters that does not necessarily fall to any one Department and is not addressed for that reason. It is an issue about which...
- Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: Fuel prices are very high. That is not just the case for hauliers, however. They are high for all of us. High fuel prices do not just impact on hauliers; they also have an impact on motorists and bus companies. While prices are high, they are by no means the highest in Europe. For example, fuel prices are higher in the UK and France. Ireland is not the worst offender in this regard but...
- Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: It is interesting that Deputy Ellis appears to know a great deal about fuel laundering, etc. He certainly seems to know a little more about the subject than I do.
- Haulage Industry (3 Jul 2012)
Leo Varadkar: Perhaps Deputy Ellis might agree to meet me in private in order to inform me about the tricks of the trade and so on.