Varadkar, Leo

Penalty Point System

Was asked: his views on whether penalty points should be introduced for driving with bald, effectively illegal tyres, which is already an offence and is the number one fail item in the National Car Test; and ...

I am considering extending the list of road traffic offences to which fixed charge notices and penalty points apply.  My Department will shortly convene a meeting with a group of relevant stakehold...

Legal provision already exists, under Section 54(d) of the Road Traffic Act 2010, for making the use of a vehicle with defective or worn tyres a penalty points offence with 2 points awarded on th...

Regulation 16 of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 (S.I. No.  190 of 1963), as amended, sets out the legislative requirements for tyres on mechanical...

Road Improvement Schemes

Was asked: if he will request the National Roads Authority to provide funding as a matter of priority for a section of the Ring of Kerry, from Caherciveen town to Deelis Bridge (details supplied); and if he w...

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  The planning, design and implementation of individua...

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.

Departmental Reports

Was asked: if he will set out the value for money reports and the focused policy assessments carried out within his Department since March 2011; the actions that have been taken to implement such reports; and...

Value-for-Money and Policy Reviews were completed for the Marine Survey Office, the Irish Coast Guard, and Iarnród Éireann’s Third Railway Safety Programme in 2012. Arising from the previous round ...

Regional Road Network

Was asked: if an application for funding been received from Laois County Council in respect of a project (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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 ...

No application for funding for traffic calming works on the R639 entering Durrow has been received in my Department from Laois County Council.  It is open to the Council to fund these works from ...

Capital Expenditure Programme Issues

Was asked: if he will include social clauses for the long-term unemployed in the transport projects announced as part of the €150 million extra in capital expenditure for 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a ...

I am broadly supportive of a ‘social clause’ that would result in more local residents and people from the Live Register being employed on Government capital projects.  Work is being done on this m...

With regard to local and regional roads, the improvement and maintenance of such roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of ...

With regard to national roads, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  The planning, design ...

Tax Code

Was asked: if he is working with the Department of Finance to retain the current 9% VAT rate in the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I am very conscious that the tourism and hospitality industry would like to see the rate continued through 2014 and beyond. I am also conscious that ...

As the Deputy is aware, taxation policy is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance.

Departmental Bodies

Was asked: the degree of transparency sought and detail given to him and his Department following inquiries and request for information regarding exceptional costs, if any, regarding a matter (details supplie...

The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of funding ...

I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Irish Sports Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.