Results 35,301-35,320 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme for Government makes it clear that we will continue to invest in the National Cycle Policy and my Department will pursue this commitment on an ongoing basis.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this particular question, i.e. road accident statistics, is the responsibility of the Road Safety 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 working days.

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I have no plans to establish an inter-agency civil aviation monitoring and inspection system.

Written Answers — Transport 21: Transport 21 (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Transport 21 was the capital investment framework launched in November 2005 under the National Development Plan (NDP) through which the transport system in Ireland was to be developed, over the period 2006 to 2015. Due to changing economic circumstances, the original allocation provided for T21 which proposed Exchequer funding of €26 billion has been subject to substantial reductions...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (20 Apr 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 these roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State road grants. However, the initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy is aware, the National Recovery Plan, which was published by the previous Government in November, envisaged significantly reduced road investment for the duration of the Plan and therefore the scope for proceeding with major road projects is very limited. The capital investment review that is now planned will form the basis for a new National Development Plan for the period...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as the DART Underground, comes under the remit of the NTA. As regards policy in relation to major capital projects such as DART Underground, the Government has announced a full review of capital...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I have no plans to privatise Dublin Bus. However, in accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government to explore the benefit to the public transport passenger of more diverse bus service provision, I am considering the various options that are currently available as regards achieving greater diversity of bus operators. Under EU law and the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008,...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The reference to the commercial success or failure of Terminal Two at Dublin airport, is a matter that lies within the responsibilities of the Dublin Airport Authority, and I have referred that part of the question to the Company for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if he has not received a reply within ten working days. I do not believe it would be appropriate to...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: A decision has yet to be announced regarding the outcome of the Smarter Travel Areas Competition. The future of this Programme is being considered in the context of the available budget for 2011 and the National Recovery Plan. Dublin City Council will be notified of the outcome of the Drimnagh bid in due course.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is an operational matter for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The subject matter of this particular question is the responsibility of the Road Safety 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 — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: This is an enforcement matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the Garda Síochána under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. I have no function in the matter. I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be sent to the NTA for a direct response. I would ask the Deputy to advise my Office if he does not receive a response within ten days.

Public Transport (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: It is important to recognise the background to the Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon report. I have not read the entire report, but it is on my reading list for next week when I will read it from start to finish. That is why I am not ruling out the possibility of appointing an inspector. The fraud was detected by CIE which initiated the report. However, the company did not inform the Minister, as...

Public Transport (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I do not know.

National Cycle Policy Framework (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: This is an easy one. The Deputy asks if there are plans to remove the mandatory use requirement for cycle lanes. The removal of the requirement to use cycle lanes where provided is one of the undertakings in the national cycle policy framework. Subject to finalising some safety aspects of the proposal, I hope to make the necessary amending regulations later in the year. Where a cycle lane...

National Cycle Policy Framework (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister of State, Deputy Alan Kelly, and I have had detailed discussions with the sustainable transport section in the Department. Subject to confirmation of the delegation order, most of these matters will fall into the brief of the Minister of State. He or I will meet representatives of the Dublin Cycling Campaign. I have had a good look at the national cycle policy framework. It is...

Civil Aviation Legislation (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Section 49 of the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998 gives powers to authorised officers, including members of the Garda Síochána, to inspect any civil aircraft where there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that an individual on board is guilty of one or other of the offences referred to in section 33(1)(d) of the 1988 Air Navigation and Transport Act. These include...

Civil Aviation Legislation (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Garda can be trusted to be neutral in giving an opinion on this issue and in doing its job. The powers granted to authorised officers are granted to gardaí. We do not have any plans to appoint authorised officers beyond members of the Garda. I do not want to go too much into the issue of extraordinary rendition because it is a question that should be directed to the Minister for...

Air Services (20 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 30 together. A decision to reduce to two the number of routes covered by public service obligation, PSO, air services, was taken in line with the value for money review of the 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...