Results 7,821-7,840 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Transport, Tourism and Sport: Statements (16 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: On a point of order, I ask that the Senator withdraw his comment. He said that he did not think that I should be leaking information.

Seanad: Transport, Tourism and Sport: Statements (16 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Transport, Tourism and Sport: Statements (16 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: I apologise for going on for so long but I could have continued for another hour. I was not instructed that my script should be any shorter. I did indulge myself a bit by talking off-script about the Rugby World Cup and a couple of other things but I just thought that they were important.

Seanad: Transport, Tourism and Sport: Statements (16 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: In my response earlier I had already told the House that I am happy to return.

Seanad: Transport, Tourism and Sport: Statements (16 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: I shall go through the issues raised as quickly as I can and I shall ask the next time whether there is a time limit.

Seanad: Transport, Tourism and Sport: Statements (16 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: I shall deal with common questions first and then I shall go through them in order. Senators Humphreys, O'Mahony, Boyhan and others have asked me about various State boards, in particular the Road Safety Authority, the Irish Sports Council, Iarnród Éireann and others. There are at least 40 vacancies in boards under the remit of my Department. I have made reappointments, as...

Seanad: Transport, Tourism and Sport: Statements (16 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: I will proceed as quickly as possible.

Seanad: Transport, Tourism and Sport: Statements (16 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: That is fine. Senator Ned O'Sullivan spoke about the laid back attitude taken towards sports capital grants. Nobody has taken a less laid back attitude to sports capital grants than I have. When I came into office it was highly doubtful that any sports capital grants would be allocated and none had been awarded the previous year. As announced in the House and endorsed by me today, sports...

Seanad: Transport, Tourism and Sport: Statements (16 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: That is fine.

Seanad: Transport, Tourism and Sport: Statements (16 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: I will communicate with them.

Topical Issue Debate: Railway Stations (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As Minister for Transport,. Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation of rail network and the stations on it is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. Killucan train station in Westmeath is on the Dublin to Sligo line, located approximately half way between Mullingar and Enfield....

Topical Issue Debate: Railway Stations (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: While taking the train to Killucan may be difficult, I will certainly accept the Deputy's kind invitation to come and have a look. I am not an expert in this area and I would probably be wise to bring along somebody from Iarnród Éireann who has made a decision or judgment on this. Given the passionate way the Deputy has presented the problem, it is only fair.

Topical Issue Debate: Railway Stations (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: He has made the case that the population is expanding and the project would have merit and would perhaps be commercial, be an asset to Iarnród Éireann and bring more passengers. Of course I will consider it. I am not here to refuse requests if they make sense. If it does not, it will be rejected. I strongly advise the Deputy to advise those who made representations to him to...

Topical Issue Debate: Railway Stations (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: Again, we have a conflict. The issues associated with the single platform relate to the impact on the timetable in normal operations and safety and recovery times in the event of a train failure or other degraded conditions. I thank the Deputy and I will visit his area. It is a pity he could not accept my invitation when I was there when he was being re-elected. At the time, he did not...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test Centres (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in these matters. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the 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.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: I am acutely aware that the rising costs of motor insurance for drivers generally are also affecting the taxi industry. There are reports of large increases for existing policy holders and significant difficulties in obtaining insurance for new operators. The implications of the current insurance difficulties faced by those in the taxi sector are of serious concern to me. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure Ireland Expenditure (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: ​As you are aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  The planning, design and operation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test Data (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: ​Oversight of the system of Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in these matters.  I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences Renewals (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: ​This question raises two issues. First, in normal circumstances, people are required to present themselves in person at an office of the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) when renewing or replacing their driving licences.  However, where a person is out of the country for a period for study or work purposes, they  may apply to renew or replace their licence by...