Results 34,121-34,140 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Disabled parking spaces are provided for the use of people who have a legitimate need and have qualified for a disabled parking permit. Unfortunately there are abuses, in particular people parking in disabled spaces without a permit, people using permits issued to someone else, and people using forged permits. All of these abuses are particularly deplorable because they deprive those who...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Driver licensing law in Ireland operates within the framework of EU legislation, and its purpose is to ensure a minimum level of assurance regarding the competence of people who drive on our roads. As part of the driver licensing regime, Ireland recognises and has exchange relationships with other EU Member States, whose nationals, if resident in Ireland, can therefore exchange their driving...

Written Answers — Park Regulations: Park Regulations (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Traffic and Parking Regulations, partial parking of vehicles on pavements is currently not permitted. Since coming into office, I have been asked about this issue a number of times and have given it some consideration. The argument for changing the Regulations relates to the difficulty which many people have parking in urban areas, especially areas with high residency and narrow...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Data on spectator numbers for the 2011 Irish Open is primarily a matter for the organisers of the event, the European Tour. As sponsors of the event in question, Fáilte Ireland may be in a position to assist in relation to the Deputy's query. 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...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 262 together. My Department engages with freight interests for the various modes, including air and rail, through its involvement with the All-Island Freight Forum. The Forum is jointly chaired by my Department and the Northern Ireland Department for Regional Development. One of its primary roles is to draw together the Government side and industry...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 260 together. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national road projects are a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under sections 17 and 19 the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This includes funding for safety related works on national roads. The selection and prioritisation...

Written Answers — Public Private Partnerships: Public Private Partnerships (12 Jan 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 schemes, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) in accordance with the Roads Acts 1993-2007. The Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I have had no specific meetings with my counterparts, as Minister for Tourism, in the EU and the US to discuss enhancing tourist traffic through this country. By its nature, tourism is an area where countries compete to maximise the number of visitors coming from abroad. In this regard, primary responsibility for the overseas promotion of Ireland as a tourist destination rests with Tourism...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the analysis of road collision statistics. Noting this, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. He should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I recognise the wider economic benefits that continued investment in sport can achieve. The allocation for the Irish Sports Council (ISC) for 2012 is almost €44.5 million. Participation in sport can bring benefits in terms of health and well-being which can in turn produce an economic dividend through reducing costs to the health sector. The funding to the ISC will continue to support...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In accordance with the Programme for Government, I recognise the need to rebalance transport policy to favour public transport. The public transport system will play a critical role in supporting a return to sustainable economic growth, the maintenance of a competitive environment for investment and addressing the challenge of climate change. Despite the reduced sums available for capital and...

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together. Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test (NCT). I have referred the Deputies' questions to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. They should advise my private office if they do not...

State Airports (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's question refers to the report on the ownership and management of Cork and Shannon airports, whether I intend to publish the report and if I have plans to amend legislation to give effect to the proposals arising from the report. The report was undertaken by consultants at my request to provide me with wide-ranging advice on all possible options for the future ownership and...

State Airports (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: First, there really has been no delay but it takes a bit of time to make the right decision. In making the right decision, I wished to ensure I had the advice from the various airport authorities and from independent consultants, as well as having time to give other members of the Cabinet, and other Departments in particular, an opportunity to consider the recommendations and proposals that...

Road Network (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: This question relates to the route selection report for the Oilgate to Rosslare roads scheme. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding of the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with...

Road Network (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister does have a certain role in this regard in the sense that it is the Minister's role to set policy, allocate budgets and oversee corporate governance. In this regard, the decision is not to spend additional moneys on this road for the time being because the money is not available to complete the project. Therefore, it does not make sense to spend further millions just to bring...

Road Network (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I am conscious of the planning issue the Deputy raised, "planning blight" as it is described in other jurisdictions. The NRA has issued new guidelines to local authorities in the past few weeks giving them the criteria under which they could allow development to occur in these corridors, as in the case of developments such as agricultural sheds. Development in these route corridors is a...

Dublin Airport Authority (12 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Under Article 29 of the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998, the recruitment of a CEO is a matter for the board of the Dublin Airport Authority and not one in which I have a legal function. I understand, however, that the authority has advertised the post in the national press. The contract of the current CEO runs until next April. The terms and conditions under which...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1004 and 1005 together. 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 fund primarily from its own resources but supplemented by State road...