Results 8,181-8,200 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

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

Shane Ross: I am sure that has something to do with it. I find it extremely flattering that he would ask me to do so and I see absolutely no reason why I should not come down. If it is anywhere near the Tipperary border, I will nip over and see Deputy Mattie McGrath as well, who is also happy down there. If there is a safety issue, it is important that it is addressed by a Minister. I will look at...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: On a point of order, how much time do I have in this slot? Do I have ten minutes or another amount?

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: No, that is alright. I thank the Ceann Comhairle. As I had only just begun my response to these amendments when we ran out of time yesterday, I would like to begin by again thanking both Deputies Troy and Munster for tabling these amendments to extend the list of drugs listed in the Bill. I am fully sympathetic with their intent and I do believe the list will grow in the future. I...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy who is right. I do have a certain advantage in that I have officials beside me to brief me, but it is necessary, particularly in areas which are so complicated, to have people advise me on issues, although not on policy, on which I am at one with the Deputy on this issue. We are all together on policy. They advise me on the consequences of something which has been...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: Obviously, I share the House's wish to get this important Bill finished. Every day that it is delayed there is the potential for loss of life but I do not want to make it bad legislation by rushing it through. We have debated quite a lot of this previously but there are important issues here, particularly in this amendment. Deputy Munster's request is reasonable. I will certainly ask...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Munster for that. The Deputy can be sure that she will get a report within a year about how this is working, particularly the 20 km/h option, and how it is being exercised by local authorities.

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I think Deputy Munster used the phrase "if I was not opposed to it". I am not opposed to anything the Deputies have said here. I will accept an amendment later but there are very good reasons this amendment cannot be accepted, although that is regrettable. I agree with the sentiments expressed by Deputy Crowe and by others. This is a...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I understand what Deputy Robert Troy is getting at. I am not, however, inclined to agree with him because of the unintended consequences of this and because it is in the wrong Bill. I am somewhat surprised it is in the Bill at all and it was permitted. However, it is there because two of these particular amendments come under the Taxi Regulation Act. The issue will not be resolved just by...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I will accept an amendment on the issue. I do not know why the Deputies assume I would not. Deputies Brendan Ryan and Imelda Munster proposed amendments to make it an offence for the owner of a vehicle to allow the vehicle to be driven by an unaccompanied learner. Deputy Tommy Broughan has also proposed measures regarding insurance and unaccompanied learners. It raises a very important...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: May I just finish this paragraph?

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: Unfortunately, there is a real and continuing problem of learners who persist in driving unaccompanied. The question of the responsibility of car owners who knowingly allow learners to drive their cars was raised recently by the family of Geraldine and Louise Clancy, who were tragically killed in an incident for which an unaccompanied learner driver was found responsible. I have given some...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (14 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. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (14 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. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry Regulation (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: Being generally not suited to international transport operations, five axle non-articulated trucks (rigids) are a relatively recent phenomenon on Irish roads. Across the EU there is no maximum weight 'norm' for such vehicles and a lacuna in Ireland's Construction and Use Regulations has meant that a maximum weight limit for such vehicles has hitherto remained unstipulated. It is...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I want to address some of the points made. I agree with virtually everything that was said about the insurance industry. I would probably go a little further with regard to most of the detail given by Deputies Mattie McGrath, John McGuinness and Tommy Broughan. They are probably aware that when it comes to taking measures to deal with it, it is a matter for the Department of Finance. That...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank all of the Deputies who contributed to the debate on this amendment. I thank Deputy Broughan, in particular, for the chance to discuss the production of driving licences in court and the recording of their details. As I and other Members of the House know, Deputy Broughan has taken a keen interest over the years in campaigning for improvements to road traffic. One of the issues he...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: My Department is working on consolidation, as has always been the case. I understand it is being worked on quite aggressively at the moment. I am very sorry that I cannot accept the amendment. It is for reasons which the Deputy has pointed out, namely, that there seems to be a constant question over who is responsible for what. The Deputy will have to take my words in good faith. I...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I am interested in speeding up matters in respect of all issues raised by Deputy Broughan, including the registration of convictions and fines and details of licences because it is unacceptable that it takes so long. I will convey these sentiments to the Tánaiste. I will not give the House a timeline for this to happen because it is too much of a hostage to fortune. However, I regard...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I move amendment No. 9: In page 26, to delete lines 8 to 13 and substitute the following:" 8 Offence consisting of contravention of sub-article (5)(a) or (7)(d) of article 14 Contravention of restrictions on driving vehicle on cycle track or shared track 1 3 "This is a small amendment to correct a typo. In section 34, as passed on Committee Stage, members may have noticed that in...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: Very briefly, there was no reflection on anybody in any particular way. Both amendments achieve the same end. I am advised that Deputy Munster's amendment reflects the language and sentiments in existing legislation just a little more accurately. As I have already stated, I do not want to see any legal challenges and amendment No. 11 seemed to be a little safer in this way.