Results 35,181-35,200 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (11 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Last year my Department published a review of the Disabled Parking Scheme which was conducted in close consultation with the bodies responsible for issuing Disabled Parking Permits, the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA). One of the issues considered in the review was the question of criteria for eligibility for a Disabled Parking...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (11 May 2011)

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

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (11 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I understand that the decision to reduce to two the number of routes covered by PSO air services was taken by the previous Government in line with the Value for Money Review of Exchequer Expenditure on the Regional Airports Programme. This Review took account of a number of factors including the performance of the services, the requirement to make best use of scarce Exchequer resources as...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (11 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question Nos. 28 and 30 of the 20th April, 2011, I do not intend to revisit the previous Government's decision in relation to the Derry Airport PSO. In the first instance this is a commercial issue with the provision of rail services between Derry, Belfast and Dublin being an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann in the Republic and for Translink...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (11 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: This is an operational matter for the airline. The Minister has no function in this matter. While the Minister for Finance holds a 25.1% stake in the airline, the day to day running of the company is a matter for the company's management and the board.

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (11 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body responsible for the promotion, development and coordination of sport which includes responsibility for dealing with the recognised sporting organisations and allocation of funding to same. The following is the funding allocated to the ISC from 2008 to 2011; 2008 €m 2009€m 2010€m 2011€m ...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy over a 20 year period is not readily available and would involve an inordinate amount of time and resources to compile. However, I can confirm from the records available that my Department is a corporate member and pays the standard annual membership fee to the Institute. As with all departmental spending, this will be reviewed as part of the...

Written Answers — Irish Coast Guard: Irish Coast Guard (11 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 to 183, inclusive, together. The Coast Guard is continuing to provide full day and night watch and rescue co-ordination services utilising the three centres in Dublin (National Maritime Operations Centre), Malin and Valentia. As part of my Department's commitment to the modernisation of the Coast Guard communications and coordination system a new national...

Jobs Initiative 2011: Statements (Resumed) (11 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I am indeed.

Jobs Initiative 2011: Statements (Resumed) (11 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Before attending the Chamber, I watched the Greek strikes and riots, which are occurring as we speak, on the "Six One" news. Given what I have seen on television, I am not convinced the Greeks have received a better deal. I would be interested in seeing what happens. If a country wants to be a guinea pig and default or exit the eurozone, I would rather it be someone else's country and not...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (10 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The national vehicle fleet comprises over 2.4 million vehicles and the online motor tax service can currently be availed of by a very significant 85% of owners. Arrangements being made by my Department, which are now at an advanced stage, will enable commercial vehicles (some 327,000 units) to avail of the online motor tax service in instances where they are covered by a current...

Written Answers — Training Programmes: Training Programmes (10 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 407, 410, 422 and 434 together. The matters raised are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputies' Questions to the agency for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply to your question within ten working days.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (10 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Section 3 (1) of the Road Traffic Act 2006 and Statutory Instruments 443 and 444 of 2006 provide for the offence of driving a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place while holding a mobile phone. Offences relating to using a mobile phone for texting or emailing while driving can also be dealt with under Section 52 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (as substituted by Section 50 of the...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (10 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, which is administered by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport grant aid to a maximum of €3.8 million is provided to Local Authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools , subject in both cases to the total grant not exceeding 80% of the eligible cost of the project or, in the...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (10 May 2011)

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

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (10 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources and are supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (10 May 2011)

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 under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting this, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (10 May 2011)

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 are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In addition, the statutory power to levy tolls on...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (10 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, which is administered by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport grant aid to a maximum of €3.8 million is provided to Local Authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools, subject in both cases to the total grant not exceeding 80% of the eligible cost of the project or, in the...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (10 May 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Report of the Steering Group on the Merger of the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency, which is available on my Department's website, examines costs and savings in Chapter 11. The Steering Group considered that a saving of €3 to €4 million could be achieved in the medium term.