Results 6,901-6,920 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: ​​The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads within its area 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 the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. As regards the proposed Coonagh to Knockalisheen Road Scheme I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licensing Exchange Agreements (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: Holders of American driving licences may drive in Ireland for up to a year, on a visitor basis, under international road traffic conventions. Under EU law, we may issue a driving licence only to a person who is normally resident here.  If a person has not taken up residence, we cannot issue them with a licence. Where a person from a non-EU country takes up residence in Ireland,...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Chairman and committee for the chance to present the Revised Estimate for 2016 for my Department. As the Chairman proposed, I will make some opening remarks to introduce each of the five programmes in the Department's Vote. I will also take the opportunity to make some general remarks which are relevant to all the programmes to avoid having to repeat myself throughout the...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: They are off.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: Chairman, will I start with the aviation programme?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: The aviation programme has an allocation this year of €26 million, representing 2% of the Vote. The largest element of the programme is the regional airports programme at €12.6 million. Funding is also earmarked to cover costs associated with our membership of Eurocontrol, costs incurred by the Irish Aviation Authority for exempt services and subscriptions to international...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Troy for the question. The €10 million which he refers to the in programme for Government has not been allocated at this stage. That is misleading. Let me read out something that will make clear the situation about Waterford Airport. Waterford Airport receives substantial Exchequer support under the regional airports programme that is administered by my Department....

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: It is the allocation to the capital plan over the lifetime of the plan.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: No, it is not specifically for Waterford Airport.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: It is for all regional airports.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: Yes, any of the regional airports can apply for funding. The idea that the total allocation would go to Waterford Airport is not the case.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: It will be in the Estimates from 2017.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: Yes.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I am not happy. I spoke to the European Commissioner when I was in Luxemburg recently. She was not happy either with the progress being made and the fact that this is being obstructed by various parties in the United States. As the Deputy knows, it is causing a great deal of difficulties in Cork. Such a service could give a high level of employment. There is a blockage in the United...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: It has not been signed as of yet. I will be meeting representatives from the Dublin Airport Authority to discuss this issue next week. One of my concerns is that the original cost has risen from €250 million to €320 million. There are obvious concerns about noise, which is an issue for residents in the area. The Dublin Airport Authority is in discussions with a large number...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I am very happy to take questions on the concerns of residents near the airport if the Chairman decides I should do so.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I answered a question on this in the Dáil. I cannot answer the Deputy's question on how genuine it is. I have asked it to meet the residents on a regular basis, which it agreed to do, and they have had meetings. I will try to ensure that a State monopoly of this sort does not abuse its position. I take the matter quite seriously. Although the runway cannot, and should not, be...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: Programme B, land transport, is the largest programme by far in the Department's Vote, representing 80% of my overall budget. A large portion of this is capital investment. The main components of the programme are roads improvement and maintenance funding with an overall budget of €720 million, the public transport investment programme at €347 million and public service...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I will take Deputy Troy's questions first. The figure for motor tax receipts is €1.1 billion. The €16 million capital was carried forward because certain projects have been delayed a bit. The money is not lost and will be spent. I take the Deputy's point about the €500 million for the maintenance of roads and a very large amount of the capital budget goes towards the...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: In the first place, we will have to see how they deal with it because they are negotiating and we are hands off at the moment. I do not, however, want to see industrial relations problems in semi-State companies. Nor do I want to see something similar breaking out to what happened with Luas. I acknowledge the fact that the unions will be eyeing the settlements made in the Luas case. It...