Results 34,461-34,480 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ferry Services (3 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Deputy McCarthy was absolutely correct when he stated that rising fuel costs have not been of assistance in this matter. The difficulty we face with regard to ferry and airline services is that fuel costs are going to rise in the long term. Such costs may fluctuate but their long-term trajectory will be upwards. When new environmental regulations relating to the sulphur content of fuels,...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (2 Nov 2011)

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. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be...

Written Answers — Penalty Points System: Penalty Points System (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Officials from my Department are continuing to work with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland towards the longer term objective of introducing a mutual recognition of penalty points for driving offences. Unlike the bilateral arrangements between the UK and Ireland, under Article 15.4 of the 1998 EU Convention on driving disqualifications, that came into operation in January 2010,...

Written Answers — Vehicle Registration System: Vehicle Registration System (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The primary function of a vehicle number plate is to provide a unique identifier to facilitate administration of vehicle regulation and enforcement. Section 131 of the Finance Act 1992 enables the Revenue Commissioners to assign vehicle identification marks (number plates) to vehicles registered in the State. There are no provisions which enable number plates, once assigned to be changed...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 560, 561 and 565 together. Like all Government funded programmes, the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) is being considered in the context of the on-going central review of expenditure which is endeavouring to identify savings. While no decisions have been taken in the matter, it might be noted that the Programme for Government acknowledges the importance of...

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Under road traffic legislation, I have powers to make regulations relating to parking on public roads and in local authority car parks. This legislation applies to public roads and does not apply to private car parks. At present, the position is that private car parks, privately operated and on private land, are regarded as private businesses engaging in contractual relationships with their...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (2 Nov 2011)

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 — State Bodies: State Bodies (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Following the recent Government decision to cap the salaries of newly appointed Chief Executive Officers of commercial state companies at €250,000, I have in the case of agencies for which I have responsibility sought voluntary waivers of 15% of salary from current incumbents who are above this threshold or a lesser amount if the application of the full 15% reduction were to bring their...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Local Improvements Scheme provides funding for non-public roads and the maintenance and improvement of these roads is in the first instance a matter for the relevant landowner. The 2011 regional and local road grants have now been fully allocated and there are no further funds available from which an additional allocation towards the Local Improvements Scheme could be made.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the National Roads Authority (NRA) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007). Section 62 of the Roads Act 1993 specifies the categories of vehicles...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this particular question, i.e. the potential transfer of terms of employment for air traffic controllers at Galway Airport to the Irish Aviation Authority is a matter for consideration by the Irish Aviation Authority, and I have referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 569 to 571, inclusive, together. EU Regulations regarding motorcycle standards are under discussion in the EU at present. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) represents my Department at these discussions and I am informed that the proposals relate only to vehicle standards, not to the vehicle's use or the driver, and specify the standards to be applied to new...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this particular question, i.e. the possibility of the Irish Aviation Authority employing or upskilling air traffic controllers based at Galway Airport, is a matter for the Irish Aviation Authority, and I have referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (2 Nov 2011)

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. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy will recall that in 2008 my predecessor postponed until 2011 making a decision on the separation of Cork and Shannon airports as envisaged under the State Airports Act 2004. It thus falls on me now to consider the future of the airports. I have consulted Dublin, Cork and Shannon airport authorities on this question and their unanimous view is that there is no support for...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The expenditure provisions for my Department are set out in the Revised Estimates Volume, Vote 32 as published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department's Gross allocation for 2011 is €2,357m. My Department's total Gross expenditure to the end of October will be €1,420m. My Department is actively monitoring its expenditure in accordance with the Estimates and...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is not paying rent in respect of properties in Co. Westmeath

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Bilateral arrangements between Ireland and the UK on the mutual recognition of driving disqualification, under Article 15.4 of an EU Convention, came into operation on 28th January 2010. However, the enforcement of road traffic offences in the UK and the associated sanctions are a matter for the authorities in that jurisdiction.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Policy in relation to the regional harbours, operating under the Harbours Act 1946, published in the Government's Ports Policy Statement in 2005, is that the continued operation of these harbours under the outdated provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance and that most of these harbours would best achieve their potential through their transfer to...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (2 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Regarding pleasure craft (including personal watercraft and fast powered craft) being operated in Irish waters, the requirements in relation to the wearing of personal flotation devices (PFD) are set out in the Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005 [S.I. No. 921 of 2005]. Under the regulations, a person on a pleasure craft (other than a personal...