Results 34,141-34,160 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Motor insurance is provided as a private contract between the supplier and the customer. Individual motor insurance quotations are not a matter in which I would have any direct involvement or responsibility. There is no legal provision to compel an insurance company to reveal the reason a quote was refused. However, I understand that, in practice, where a quote is refused or considered to be...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Driving a mechanically propelled vehicle at dusk, in adverse weather conditions and at night with defective lights is a significant road safety issue. The offence of driving a mechanically propelled vehicle with defective lights has been provided in road traffic legislation dating back to 1963 and is currently dealt with by way of summons to court. A maximum fine of €1,000 and/or three...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I expect to be in a position to submit the report of the Review Group on the taxi industry to Government for their consideration in the near future. It remains my intention to publish the report following its consideration by the Government.

Written Answers — Ferry Services: Ferry Services (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Neither the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (or any of its agencies, including Fáilte Ireland) has a function in, or finance available for, the subsidisation or provision of a ferry service for this, or any other route. The provision of such funding is subject to strict EU State Aid rules. Such services must run on a commercial basis. However, where possible, the State tourism...

Written Answers — Regional Airports: Regional Airports (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: In accordance with EU regulations, my Department provides subvention to two airlines for the provision of scheduled air services on the Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes between Donegal and Dublin and Kerry and Dublin. The contracts for the provision of these services were awarded following an EU public tendering process. The contracts are for the three year period commencing on 3...

Written Answers — Trans-European Transport Network: Trans-European Transport Network (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The European Commission published its proposals for the so-called "Connecting Europe Facility" (CEF) on 19 October last. The objective of the proposal – from a transport perspective - is to develop a multi-modal transport network for freight and passengers across Europe which is fit for purpose by 2030. The CEF proposal includes an appendix with details of 10 "pre-identified projects"...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Aer Lingus and one in which I have no function.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (11 Jan 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 Network: Road Network (11 Jan 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 the...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department administers capital grant payments to Harbour Authorities operating under the Harbours Act 1946 in respect of priority remedial works to protect the fabric of the Harbours and to facilitate their transfer to local control. Kinsale and Baltimore Harbours transferred to Cork County Council on the January 2012. My Department will provide funding for remedial works for a further two...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1019 and 1020 together. Since December, 2009, decisions in relation to increases in public transport fares on subvented services are subject to the approval of the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have requested the NTA to furnish details of fare increases since December 2009 directly to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1021 and 1022 together. Total operating costs of Dublin Bus increased by 8% in 2010 over the 2006 figure. 2010 is the last year for which the company's Annual Financial Statements are available. The equivalent figure for Bus Éireann was 13%. Both companies have implemented major cost recovery programmes in recent years, including a pay freeze for all...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the provision of public bus passenger services under the award of public service contracts. In addition, the responsibility for the public passenger bus route licensing was transferred under Statutory Instrument No. 566 of 2010 from my Department to the NTA with effect from 1 December...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1024 and 1025 together. The Programme for Government commits to continued investment in the National Cycle Policy. My Department is implementing that commitment through, inter alia, continued improvement of facilities and infrastructure for cyclists. I am also pleased that strong levels of investment in smarter travel including funding for additional...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The names and salaries of each person serving as an advisor to Minister Varadkar and his predecessor on each of the dates 1st December 2009, 1st December 2010 and 1st December 2011 are set out in Table 1. The names and salaries of each person directly appointed by Minister Varadker, Minister of State Alan Kelly, Minister of State Michael Ring and by their predecessors on each of the dates...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: My Department supports both the Work Placement Programme run by FAS and the JobBridge Internship Scheme run by the Department of Social Protection and Solas. The Department has facilitated six JobBridge graduate interns of 9 month durations and one four-week graduate internship through the EC funded Project "European Integration Scholarship – Speak European" during 2011.

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Goods vehicles are subject to roadworthiness testing under European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 771 of 2004). In these Regulations a "goods vehicle" is defined as a "mechanically propelled vehicle, or an articulated vehicle, constructed or adapted primarily for the conveyance of goods or burden of any description whether or not the vehicle is used for such a...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: Responsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing system in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) became the function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 30th September 2010 in accordance with section 58 of the DTA Act 2008. I understand from the NTA that the Authority fully respects the right to privacy of Leap Card holders, and does...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The information as requested by the Deputy, regarding membership of the Board of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), is as follows: Director Date of Appointment Date of Expiry of appointment Declan Collier 04.04.2005 Contract ends on 3 April 2012* Gerard Collins 05.11.2009 06.11.2012 Barry Nevin 24.03.2005 01.10.2013 Michael Lenane 30.09.2009 01.10.2013 Mary McCabe 01.12.2008...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (11 Jan 2012)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.