Results 34,001-34,020 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (9 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The promotion and development of various tourism sectors and activities are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, 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 — Road Safety: Road Safety (9 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Prior to 1989, the driver licensing system permitted a car and trailer to be driven under the car licence alone. Licence categories were then changed, with separate categories covering car (Category B) and car and trailer (Category EB). People licensed to drive with trailer before 1989 were allowed to keep their old entitlements, simply by indicating this wish on the application form when...

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (9 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: While current legislation permits local authorities such as Dublin City Council to clamp vehicles in public places, either directly or by contract with a clamping company, there is no legislation covering clamping on private property. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to regulate the vehicle clamping industry, I recently presented a discussion document to the Joint...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (9 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 to 263, inclusive, together. The issues raised are operational matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have arranged for your questions to be forwarded to the NTA for a direct response. If you do not receive a response within ten working days, please notify my private office.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (9 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national 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 this I have referred the Deputy's question to...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (9 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Since my appointment in March 2011,the Taxi Regulation Review Steering Group has been set up under Minister of State, Alan Kelly. That group has now reported and completed its work. It is therefore no longer in existence. I am actively pursuing the rationalisation programme set out in the Public Service Reform Plan with the relevant agencies. The plan sets out those agencies which are...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (8 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I believe that there is significant potential in projects like this to take advantage of the substantial international market for such trails/walkways/cycleways. The recently opened Mayo Greenway is a prime example of such. With regard to this specific project, given its size and scale I would envisage that a number of state bodies could be involved including possibly local authorities, the...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (8 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Section 3(1) of the Road Traffic Act 2010 (as amended) provides for the definition of 'specified person' within the context of the Act. The definition of a specified person includes those drivers who hold licences to drive vehicles in the categories C, C1, D, D1, EB, EC, EC1, ED, ED1 and W. These types of vehicles are usually associated with people who are required to drive on a...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (8 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together. The initial applications submitted by Donegal County Council to the National Roads Authority (NRA) for funding under the Specific Improvement Grants in 2012, in order of priority, along with the allocation provided in 2012 is outlined in the following table: Priority Project Amount Requested Amount Allocated 1 R263 Killybegs Industry...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (8 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Responsibility for the development of tourism in individual regions rests with the State tourism agencies. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (8 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Pension entitlements for members, deferred members and pensioners of the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme are a matter for the Trustees of the scheme to address. I understand the relevant parties are in discussions on this matter, which are being facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission. However, I have no function in this regard and my Department is not a party to these discussions.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (8 Feb 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 — Rail Network: Rail Network (8 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Procurement procedures in Iarnród Éireann are a matter for the company itself and ultimately for the board of Iarnród Éireann. However, CIÉ companies are required to adhere to national and EU procurement rules and to their own internal procurement policies and procedures. The code of practice for the governance of State bodies also stresses the importance of good practice in...

Seanad: Aerfort na Gaillimhe (8 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I announced in June 2011 that I had secured Government approval for additional funding to be made available to all six regional airports in 2011, including Galway Airport, reversing the cut in funding made by the last Government. However, at that time the Government also decided that it would not be able to provide operational or capital funding to Galway Airport or Sligo Airport from 2012...

Seanad: Aerfort na Gaillimhe (8 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: If the company is wound up, the first call goes to workers who are owed pay or redundancy, then the Revenue Commissioners and then other secured creditors. The State has no claim on the money paid. It was paid to Galway Airport under the OPEX scheme to cover its operating losses, which were significant for the year. That is why the money was paid. Unfortunately, on top of that the airport...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (2 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Proposals for the restructuring of the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency are still under consideration. A decision on the proposed merger will be made shortly.

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (2 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Fáilte Ireland operates an extensive network of Tourism Information Offices throughout the country. The day-to-day management of these offices is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to the agency for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (2 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Road safety legislation requires that car seat belts must be fitted to all forward facing seats and must be worn. In addition, the RSA's Road Safety Strategy 2007 - 2012 identifies a number of specific targets groups in order to improve seatbelt wearing rates in the adult, primary school and secondary school-going populations. In assessing the success of these initiatives, a 2011 study has...

Written Answers — Clamping Industry: Clamping Industry (1 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: While current legislation permits local authorities to clamp vehicles in public places, either directly or by contract with a clamping company, there is no legislation covering clamping on private property. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to regulate the vehicle clamping industry, I recently presented a discussion document to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on...

Written Answers — Driving Licences: Driving Licences (1 Feb 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Prior to 1989, the driver licensing system permitted a car and trailer to be driven under the car licence alone. Licence categories were then changed, with separate categories covering car (Category B) and car and trailer (Category EB). People licensed to drive with trailer before 1989 were allowed to keep their old entitlements, simply by ticking the appropriate box on the application form...