Results 8,721-8,740 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Data (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: The Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures for 2016 show that there were over 9.584 million overseas visits to Ireland. Tourism Ireland is forecasting growth of 0.8% in overseas visits in  2017. Tourism Ireland is responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a holiday and business tourism destination. I have asked Tourism Ireland to provide the Deputy with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: In common with the rest of Government, there has been considerable analysis of the challenges which tourism faces because of the outcome of the UK Referendum. In this context, on 23 January 2017, Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan T.D. and I hosted an All-Island Dialogue on the impact of Brexit on the tourism and hospitality sector. At that event Tourism Ireland presented on the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (8 Feb 2017)

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

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sport and Recreational Development (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. This includes responsibility for the development of strategies for increasing participation in sport and outdoor activities, including some passive recreation activities. I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sport and Recreational Development (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. This includes responsibility for the allocation of funding for National Governing Bodies of Sport. As this question is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred it to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Airports (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Development issues at airports, whether State airports or regional airports, are primarily a matter for the relevant airport authorities. In the case of the four smaller regional airports of Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry and Waterford, my Department's Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019 provides financial assistance towards specific developments and costs in the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (including bridges) in Kildare is the statutory responsibility of Kildare County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993-2015.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council. The assessment of options in relation to bridges...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: The issues raised are matters for Bus Éireann and Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) respectively and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to both companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive responses within ten working days.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I share the Chairman's sentiments about condolences. There was another fatal accident yesterday and I express my sympathies to the family, as I did in the Seanad yesterday. I also thank the committee for the invitation to come here today to discuss what may be the most emotional subject in my Department. Saving lives is a very high priority, if not the top priority, and that is what we are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Does the Chair want me to address that question now?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: The Deputy will be aware, as I said in my opening statement, that I am tackling this problem. There was an exemption in the legislation introduced in 2009 or 2010 which allowed people in certain circumstances to pay a charge and, even though they were over the legal limit, not be disqualified. I find that totally unacceptable. The first measure which we are implementing is going to mean...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I addressed that matter earlier. The scheme will come before Cabinet next week. The legislation will be ready very shortly afterwards. It will be a two-page Bill as far as I know. The intention is to get it through the Dáil at a very early stage, hopefully by the end of April.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: It is a matter for the local authority. The Deputy is aware of the 20 km/h speed limit.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I have set aside €250,000 for a pilot scheme in 2017 and further guidelines will be given to local authorities advising them of lessons learned from the scheme. I take that extremely seriously. I cannot comment on any particular problem in Louth but I guarantee that we will monitor what happens in this pilot scheme and that is why we have given it money.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Ramp procurement is a matter for the local authority. If the design meets the basic design standards-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Yes, the basic EU design standard. That is absolutely fine. I will certainly convey the Deputy's views to the local authority on that particular issue if that is what he wants. I am quite happy to do that. It is not a matter within my jurisdiction. If, however, the Deputy thinks it would help, I will take it up. It is a sensible suggestion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank the Senator. I will address the rural-urban divide. I fully understand that there is a difference between rural and urban views sometimes, certainly in the interpretation of drinking and driving. The whole culture is somewhat different. I do not think that one can say there is any excuse for driving when over the limit, regardless of where one lives. I know this is harder to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I can give the Senator the up-to-date figures up to today. They are exactly the same as last year. There is absolutely zero difference. At least they are very close to last year's. I monitor them daily. As of today, they are exactly the same as last year's, which is not encouraging and not good. However, none of the measures we have taken, as I said to Deputy Fitzpatrick, has been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Correct.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Strategy: Discussion (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: The figures for this are quite bad. I will read the Senator a note I have here because it is interesting. When a fixed charge notice is issued, more than 80% of motorists pay within the 56-day deadline, so the vast majority of drivers accept and pay the fixed charges. Of the remaining 20%, the Garda Síochána can only at best, for a number of reasons, including non-availability...