Results 8,161-8,180 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Flood Relief Schemes (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The maintenance of the heavy rail network is an operational matter for Iarnrod Éireann (IÉ). My Department provides funding to IÉ for the maintenance and renewal of the heavy rail network nationwide under a contract, the Infrastructure...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services Provision (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​Accessibility is a fundamental consideration when developing the public transport network.  Accessibility features are built into all new infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and newer systems such as the Luas are fully accessible. With regard to existing infrastructure, my Department funds an on-going programme of accessibility improvement...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: 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 operation of individual national road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Legal Cases (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: My Department has been involved in one court case during the timeframe mentioned by the Deputy which was settled in full and final settlement and without admission of liability. It was agreed by the parties involved that the terms of the settlement were to remain confidential. The proceedings were subsequently struck out.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services Provision (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services Provision (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The Northern Rail Line plays an important role in linking communities North and South of the Border. I met with Northern Ireland's Infrastructure Minister, Chris Hazzard on Monday the 12th December under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council. This provided an opportunity to further develop co-operation between our respective Departments on strategic transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: North-South Ministerial Council (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​I had a bilateral meeting with Minister Chris Hazzard yesterday in advance of the Transport Sectoral meeting of the North South Ministerial Council. We discussed a range of issues relating to current and future infrastructural projects on both sides of border, including the multi-modal transport hub in Derry and the A5 road. In addition to the meetings yesterday,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I have been consistently clear since assuming office that issues relating to pay and conditions in any particular State owned company under my Department's aegis are a matter for discussion and agreement between the employer and the employees. I am aware that Bus Éireann is considering options designed to address its significant financial losses which result from its commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. Arising from the introduction of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: 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 operation of individual national road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Testing (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I understand that as part of the response to Dáil Question 622 of 2016 on a similar issue, that Bus Éireann previously corresponded with the Deputy in relation to the differences between the inspections carried out by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) on behalf of Bus Éireann, and those carried out as part of the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Vehicles (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The identification and assessment of proposals to reform the current licensing regime for large public service vehicles is ongoing since last year with a view to eliminating  the overlap and duplication that currently exists in the current LPSV licensing regime. As my Department is still examining the overall approach to the reform package, I am not in a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including Dublin North. The Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study and the NTA's recommendations on the study, identified a light-rail link as the optimum long term public transport solution on the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Licences (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 631, 632 and 633 together. The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including issues pertaining to vehicle licences, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I have therefore referred the Deputy's Questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Insurance (13 Dec 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 Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development, operation and maintenance of the Leap Card system. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply.  Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Programme (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​There are currently three Bills undergoing preparation in my Department. The titles and current status are as follows: - Merchant Shipping (International Conventions and Maritime Safety) Bill -  a scoping exercise is currently being undertaken by my Department. - Large Public Service Vehicle Bill 2017 - the Road Safety Authority and An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Redeployment (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​No unit of my Department has been re-centralised back to Dublin.

Topical Issue Debate: Road Improvement Schemes (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy McGuinness for raising this important Topical Issue matter. As he knows, I will meet Deputies from the area in question tomorrow. This is a matter that concerns them all. I know the Deputy has raised it on their behalf today. Before I refer to the scripted reply, I think it is reasonable for me to say that the Deputy has made a fairly compelling case. I intend to tell the...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Improvement Schemes (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I am aware that there was a recent accident at Tower Hill junction between Piltown and Fiddown. This junction was the subject of an accident improvement project a number of years ago and the safety section of Transport Infrastructure Ireland is, as the Deputy knows, reviewing the junction in conjunction with the county council to see if further improvements can be implemented. We do need...