Results 8,061-8,080 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Other Questions: Transport Policy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: In injury time, and he is in injury time there. He is talking about the Gorey to Rosslare rail link. The issue there is simple. No rail lines have been targeted for cuts. To me this is not a cop out. The public consultation ends on 18 January. The rail review will then make certain suggestions. I have no personal view on the issue the Deputy has raised. I am very happy to consider...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: That is absolutely fine, but I can assure him it is not targeted for cuts, because nowhere is targeted for cuts at the moment.

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for his very important question. As he knows, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, such as the Athy southern distributor road, is the statutory responsibility of Kildare County Council, 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...

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I am not sure of the answer to that question but I will communicate with the Deputy and find out for him if we have any idea. I do not know off the top of my head when this is going to happen. The mid-term capital review, which was in effect launched on Budget day, I would think this would be a good case for the Deputy to make a representation for that and to consider it in that light. The...

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: Deputy Heydon has made a very good case. The traffic congestion at peak times in Athy makes it a compelling candidate for the mid-term capital review.

Other Questions: Road Safety Strategy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: On a point of order, is Deputy Broughan getting two supplementary questions or one?

Other Questions: Road Safety Strategy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I want to be able to give the Deputy a lot of time and want to know how to use the time.

Other Questions: Road Safety Strategy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: My Department's immediate priority for road safety at this time is to ensure the passage of the Road Traffic Bill 2016 through the Oireachtas followed by its speedy enactment, together with the ongoing implementation of the National Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020.  The Road Traffic Bill 2016 contains a series of reforms dealing with drug driving, mutual recognition of driver...

Other Questions: Road Safety Strategy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I am very reluctant to get into any more trouble with the Judiciary than I am already in another sphere by commenting on the Deputy's last remark. There is a need for more consistency in sentencing, especially in the area of traffic offences, and I suspect that some of the penalties are too light in certain areas. In view of the road deaths, I would like to see a more consistent form of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Events (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I am satisfied that hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup would deliver significant economic, social and sporting benefits to Ireland. The direct economic return of hosting the tournament here would be primarily derived from the spending by overseas visitors.  Based on the outcome of the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, there would be an estimated all-island positive economic impact...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Coast Guard Issues (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I refer the Deputy to my response to Priority Question No. 3 which I answered earlier.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Merger (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: National Ports Policy provides that the five designated Ports of Regional Significance (Drogheda, Dún Laoghaire, Galway, New Ross and Wicklow) will be transferred to more appropriate local authority led governance structures. These five ports retain important roles as facilitators of their regional economies and, in some instances, as centres of marine-related amenity and tourism...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Legislation (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​Under the Road Traffic Acts, the user of a quad bike in a public place must have insurance, road tax and a driving licence, and must also wear a helmet, with severe penalties under the road traffic laws, including fixed charge notices, penalty points, fines and possible seizure of the vehicle, for not being in compliance with these requirements. For the purposes of the Road...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​It is the responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to conduct the current public procurement process relating to the tendering out of 10% of the PSO bus network. NTA is undertaking this by way of three separate competitions and has now completed the pre-qualification phase of each, and candidates have been informed.  The NTA has issued formal...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is currently running a public consultation on rail in Ireland. It was launched with the publication of the Rail Review 2016 - which the NTA undertook in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann - together with an NTA consultation document "The Role of Rail in Ireland and Funding its Delivery".  Both documents are...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services Provision (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​As the Deputy will be aware, the Rail Review has recently been published and a public consultation on the report has been launched.  The purpose of the consultation exercise is to open up a public discussion on the current and future role of rail in Ireland as well as the funding of the rail network and services.  The public consultation process is open until 18th...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Airport Authority (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, the daa has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport, including the North Runway project.  I welcomed daa's announcement in April that they intended to proceed with the project but I have also stated on a number of occasions that it is vital that a balance is struck between the delivery of infrastructure and interests of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Review (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​As the Deputy is aware, the Government recognises the importance of public transport and is committed toward its further development within the context of available funding.  That's why the Programme for Partnership Government provides for a full review of public transport policy to ensure services are sustainable into the future and are meeting the needs of a modern economy....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Directives (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: On 22 September last, I announced details of the manner in which EU Regulation 598/2014, on the establishment of rules and procedures with regard to the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions  is to be implemented in Ireland. As I previously explained, this will require the introduction of a Statutory Instrument, which I envisage will be completed by the end of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: Accessibility features are built into all new public transport investment projects from the design stage.  For instance, as a new component of Ireland's rail infrastructure, the entire Luas system has been designed to enable full accessibility.  By contrast, however, Ireland's heavy rail network is considerably older and, while...