Results 33,661-33,680 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (18 Apr 2012)

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 advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Any developments in relation to Ireland West Airport Knock are a matter for the management of that Airport which is a privately owned entity. No decisions have been made in relation to Shannon Airport. I will be bringing proposals to Government in the matter shortly.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The operation of driver testing is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and I have no power to intervene in these matters. I would advise the individual in question to contact the RSA and see if a change of time can be arranged.

Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (18 Apr 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 relevant signage, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned....

Seanad: Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Senators for their constructive remarks. Senator O'Sullivan alluded to the progress made in making Ireland a much safer place in which to be a driver, pedestrian or cyclist. The year 2011 was the safest year on Irish roads and, so far, 2012 is safer again. This makes us the fifth safest country in Europe but there remains quite a gap between where we are and the best two or three...

Seanad: Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Apr 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Bill I am introducing today has two main components, namely, the reform of commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing and the designation of the Road Safety Authority, RSA, as the driver licensing authority. The provisions relating to the two areas will bring about significant and positive changes to the way in which each is operated and managed. This will result in major service...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (29 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Draft Regulations regarding improved motorcycle standards are currently under discussion in the EU. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) represents my Department at these discussions and I am informed that the proposals relate only to manufacturing standards and specify the standards to be applied to new motorcycles from a future date, which remains to be decided. The proposals envisage a legal...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (29 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Observation studies conducted by the Road Safety Authority have, in the past, reported high levels of wearing of visibility clothing of approximately 47% by cyclists in Ireland and this is considered to be higher now. One of the actions of the Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012 requires the RSA to implement specific educational and awareness initiatives aimed at vulnerable road users and in...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (29 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The total cost of flights, travel and subsistence incurred by this Department for the overseas travel programme for the St. Patrick's Day period was €1,396.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (29 Mar 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. Noting the above position, I have referred...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (29 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The current expenditure for regional and local roads will be reduced significantly over the next few years. Cuts of the magnitude proposed necessitated that some very good and worthwhile projects be curtailed. In making adjustments to the regional and local roads budget the primary aim has been, as far as is possible, to protect previous investment in the road network and use the...

Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (29 Mar 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. Noting the above position, I have referred...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (29 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The responsibility for the licensing of Public Bus Passenger Services was transferred under Statutory Instrument No. 566 of 2010 from my Department to the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 1 December 2010. In the circumstance, I have forwarded your correspondence to the NTA for its attention and direct reply, and to arrange a meeting if it deems necessary. He should...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (28 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 15, 19 and 46 together. The Deputies questions relate to the potential offered to the tourism industry in Ireland by tourism from China and other BRIC markets, as well as from the visa waiver scheme. The recent visit of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping was a wonderful opportunity to showcase Ireland to potential holidaymakers in China. A large media...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (28 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 26, 33 and 37 together. The Taxi Regulation Review Report proposes 46 separate actions aimed at improving standards, administration and enforcement of the regulations for the taxi sector. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the lead agency with responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report. The...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (28 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's question relates to the cost benefit analysis ratio of LUAS BXD, Metro North and DART Underground. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on 1st December 2009, the provision of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as LUAS BXD, Metro North and Dart Underground, now comes under the remit of the NTA. A comprehensive review of...

Written Answers — Haulage Industry: Haulage Industry (28 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 20, 56 and 66 together. The Deputies' questions relate to cabotage regulations generally and in particular the concerns of the haulage industry in relation to the enforcement of such regulations by the United Kingdom authorities. Provisions in relation to road haulage cabotage are set out in EU Regulations 1072 of 2009, which came into effect on 14 May...

Written Answers — Public Private Partnerships: Public Private Partnerships (28 Mar 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 implementation of individual national road schemes, including Public Private Partnership projects, is a matter for the National Roads Authority in accordance with the Roads Acts 1993-2007. In particular, the statutory power to levy tolls on...

Written Answers — State Assets: State Assets (28 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 272 together. The Deputy's questions relate to the future of the Government's shareholding in Aer Lingus. In terms of State asset disposals, two Working Groups were established by the Government in 2011, one to consider the best approach in progressing the proposed part-sale of ESB and the other to undertake a similar analysis of a number of other...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (28 Mar 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads network. 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. The improvement and maintenance of regional and...