Results 6,721-6,740 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: State Airports (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: Okay. That is fine.

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: State Airports (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: That is fine. We will take them in this order.

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: State Airports (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I would like to thank Deputy Ryan for his question. As he will be aware, the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, has a statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport, including by providing the infrastructure necessary to meet existing and future demand. The north runway project falls into this category.  The DAA was granted planning permission for this project in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: State Airports (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy. I assure him that I will not allow a State monopoly to bully any group of residents, regardless of how small that group is. The Deputy can take that message back to them. It seems to me that State bodies of this sort are always in a position of great advantage over small groups of people. Although I agree that the necessity for the second runway is compelling, it is...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Greenways Development (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: ​A decision to pause the development of the Dublin to Galway greenway west of the River Shannon between Athlone and Galway was taken by my predecessor last October. Deputy Troy is correct when he says that I visited Athlone a few weeks ago to educate myself about greenways. He cannot be incorrect because I was delighted to meet him there. I was brought there by the Deputy's...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Greenways Development (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: The outcome of the process of consultation between Transport Infrastructure for Ireland, Galway County Council, Roscommon County Council and landowners along the route suggested it would be wise to give everyone involved time to reflect on the issues raised and to consider the possibility of developing a new route that works locally and has the support of key landowners.  While the vast...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Greenways Development (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: It is a matter which has moved way up my list of priorities since I visited Athlone that day. I am not going to get involved in the rights and wrongs of the dispute or the difficulties which are obviously obstructing the progress of this greenway in the direction we had hoped. However, I am going to appeal and hope to do something in a more concrete way to ensure it will go ahead soon. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for bringing this problem to my attention. It is coming at me thick and fast and the Deputy has certainly been the first out of the traps in tabling a Priority Question on the matter. I understand its importance to people, particularly those outside city areas. The local improvement scheme remains in place this year. The scheme provides funding for private roads and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I am giving away no secrets to the Deputy in telling him this issue was included in the programme for Government and that it came from members of my group. I am kept conscious by the day of what the Deputy is saying by another source. The pressure exerted on me will be equally effective from elsewhere. The Deputy is kicking at a vulnerable and open door when talking about the issue. While...

Other Questions: Airport Development Projects (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I have already dealt with a similar question from Deputy Brendan Ryan, as Deputy Ellis will be aware. The DAA has responsibility for the north runway project. It was granted planning permission in 2007 for the project and announced its intention to proceed in April 2016. As I have said previously, I welcome the DAA's stated commitment to work closely with all stakeholders, including...

Other Questions: Airport Development Projects (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Ellis. I am in danger of repetition given what I have already said to Deputy Ryan. I take to heart what both the Deputies have said. I understand the real difficulties in which the residents find themselves when a large project of this sort threatens to disturb their lives with the noise it creates. As the Deputy knows, new EU rules and directives are coming into force...

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Boyd Barrett for his question. I am aware of the excellent work he has done on this project for a long period of time. It is always a cause of great embarrassment to him and to me when we find ourselves on the same side on issues of this sort, but I am afraid we may find ourselves in that position again today. That does not mean I am going to meet exactly who Deputy Boyd...

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I am sympathetic with what Deputy Boyd Barrett has said but I am not sure that at the moment I would have any real function in meeting them, bar listening. I do not think after that I would be in a position to interfere in a process which is ongoing. If I were to meet them in the expectation that I would then interfere in the process, it would be wrong. It would also be wrong of me not to...

Other Questions: Public Transport Provision (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: ​I thank Deputy Broughan for his remarks about meeting the road safety group, whose cause I know he has championed for so long. We had a very constructive discussion. The group has done a huge amount of homework and has much to offer in this particular area through tragic personal experience I know but all the same, it is something which may prevent accidents of the sort they have...

Other Questions: Public Transport Provision (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Broughan for his contribution. It has to be approached on an available money basis. As I said in my earlier response, we only have a certain amount of money to keep us in a healthy public transport financial sphere until 2020 and to keep it in a steady state condition. In other words, we will not be able to afford to spend money on more than design and planning of metro...

Other Questions: Public Transport Provision (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: Question No. 67 is in the name of Deputy Seán Crowe, nominated by Deputy Imelda Munster.

Other Questions: Public Transport Provision (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: Okay.

Other Questions: Road Safety Authority (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Munster for her question. I presume she is referring to a statement I made at a Road Safety Authority Garda event recently. Although Ireland, as of the latest available data, for 2014, is now one of the better-performing EU countries in terms of road safety, there is no room for complacency. It is important that we continually evaluate our performance with a view to...

Other Questions: Road Safety Authority (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: Much as I would love to be, I am not Minister for Justice and Equality and cannot increase the number in the traffic corps at the drop of a hat. I understand the Deputy's point and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that the lack of checkpoints coincides with the increased number of accidents and deaths and the increased number of traffic fatalities in which alcohol was a factor. At the...

Other Questions: Traffic Management (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: ​My views on this issue are pretty much irrelevant. While I have responsibility for road traffic legislation, traffic management is a matter for the local authorities. The Deputy might wish to raise any concern he may have about the proposed College Green traffic management measures with Dublin City Council. Regarding the impact of measures on...