Results 35,341-35,360 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (19 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: There are ten State commercial port companies established and operating under the Harbours Acts 1996 - 2009. Rosslare Europort is also owned by the State, via Iarnród Éireann. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is the principal shareholder in each company with the Minister for Finance holding one share in each. The Minister's relationship with the companies is governed by the...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (19 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: In light of the current economic climate and the need for social solidarity, at a recent meeting in Dublin Castle of all the state agencies and commercial semi-state companies under the aegis of my department, I re-iterated the Government's opposition to the payment of bonuses to Chief Executives. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies requires all State companies to include...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (19 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: There is no feasible basis, at present, in Ireland or in Europe for the introduction of a preliminary roadside test for drugs, as testing devices are still in the prototype stages. However, I have indicated to the relevant bodies, including the Gardaí and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) that I would like to see viable roadside testing for drugs introduced as quickly as possible. ...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (19 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The upgrading and extension of the mainline railway system is a matter for consideration by Irish Rail in the first instance. The Strategic Rail Review (SRR) completed by Irish Rail in 2003 set out priorities for future rail investment in Ireland, with a twenty-year strategic policy framework, and fed into Transport 21. The SRR did not include the development of rail services in Cavan,...

Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: It happened before the Government came to power.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (14 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together. Since its inception as a Coast Guard Unit in 2004 the Drogheda Unit has used the facilities at Horse Lane, Drogheda. Before that these same facilities were used by the Drogheda Community Rescue Inshore unit, the forerunner of the present Coast Guard Unit. The location provides immediate access to a slipway. However, by direction of the...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (14 Apr 2011)

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

Written Answers — Driving Licences: Driving Licences (14 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Road Traffic (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences) Order 2007 (SI No. 527 of 2007) Ireland has arrangements for recognition and exchange of driving licences from a number of other jurisdictions, including Australia. It is an accepted principle of these arrangements that a person should not hold two driving licences at the same time. In consequence it is a principle that, where...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (14 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The information sought by the Deputy is available from 2002 when the Department of Transport was formed. The total full time staff equivalent in the Department at 31st December each year was 551 in 2002, 511 in 2005 and 495.5 in 2010. The numbers and detail by grade are shown in respect of 2005 and 2010 in the attached table. There were a number of changes within the Department between...

Written Answers — Driver Testing Service: Driver Testing Service (14 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Responsibility for setting the driver theory test rests with the Road Safety Authority. The last major review of the questions posed in the driver theory test took place in 2006 and I understand the Road Safety Authority has decided that it is now timely to carry out a review of the question bank to update the questions in light of changes and experience in the interim.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (14 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Railway Safety Commission (RSC) was established on 1 January 2006, under the Railway Safety Act 2005, as the independent regulatory agency charged with oversight of the safety of all railway activities in the State. The RSC has no governing board. However, Section 81 and 82 of the Railway Safety Act 2005 requires the Minister to establish by order a Railway Safety Advisory Council...

Written Answers — Roads Network: Roads Network (13 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for local...

Written Answers — Coast Guard Equipment: Coast Guard Equipment (13 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has been pursuing efforts to develop, enhance and improve Ireland's marine pollution prevention, preparedness and response capability from within existing and available resources and funds. On foot of the programme for Government, there will be a review of the risk posed by international shipping of oil and hazardous substance pollution and an assessment of what steps can be...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (13 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: This project was one of eleven short-listed for stage 2 of the smarter travel areas competition. As a result of changes to economic circumstances and the associated impact on availability of funding, future steps with the competition are currently under review. The local authorities concerned will be notified of the outcome of the review in due course.

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (13 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Dublin Port Company has recently announced the commencement of a public consultation to help develop a master plan for the port's future development. The company's statutory responsibilities under the Harbours Act 1996 include the development of the port, the provision of sufficient port facilities, and the promotion of investment in the port. Once completed, the master plan will outline the...

Road Traffic Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (13 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: A number of issues have been raised and what I might do, with the permission of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, is address the amendments put down first and then comment on the other issues for which no amendment has been put down. The amendments all are in the name of Deputy Dooley. At the outset, I congratulate him on his recent appointment as spokesperson. I look forward to working with him...

Road Traffic Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (13 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputies for their co-operation in this matter. I look forward to working on the No. 2 Bill and particularly trying out the new process of having a pre-legislative phase so that the Parliament can have an earlier input into legislation. Legislation is sometimes published and it becomes impossible to change. It is so difficult to change that it would be better to have earlier...

Road Traffic Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (13 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Next Tuesday or Wednesday, if possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (12 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: From the period 1 January to 31 December 2010 my Department employed five retired public servants at a cost of €28,155.50. With regard to agencies under the aegis of my Department this is a matter for the agencies themselves. I have, however, forwarded the Deputy's question to the various non-commercial state agencies under my Department's aegis. If the Deputy does not receive a reply...

Written Answers — Official Languages Act: Official Languages Act (12 Apr 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 421 together. As a result of the recent alteration of the functions of the Department it will be necessary to change all signage. Investigations are currently being carried out as to how to achieve this at the most economical cost also having regard to commitments under the Official Languages Act. No costs have been incurred to date. The question...