Results 9,061-9,080 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: It is not loaded at all. The question has been asked previously. It is fine. I will address the Deputy's questions as well as I can. He is talking about how individual routes like the Cork-Dublin route are operated. The like-for-like comparison of individual routes is a matter for the NTA and not for me. I see the point the Deputy is making. As I have said previously, if there are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I can answer the Deputy's question about the Limerick-Dublin route by quoting from the NTA review. It states:Bus Éireann have announced a withdrawal of 24 services per week from a total of 130 on their Limerick to Dublin via Nenagh, Roscrea and Portlaoise service. There are a number of alternative services available such as JJ Kavanagh Route 735 which provides 112 services per week ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I know, but it is very important.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: As the review states, "There is a high volume of bus and rail services from Limerick to Dublin, therefore no additional services are proposed by the Authority". The Deputy knows that is the case.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: Fair enough. I will respond to the Deputy's other questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I will speak about the Dublin-Derry route.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: Translink said in a press release yesterday that it intends to continue its service. I would like to respond briefly to some of the Deputy's other points. She said that the buses will be pulled from the road next week. We do not want to see that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: No, I am not going to intervene. None of us wants to see this happen. I accept the bona fides of Deputies Bríd Smith and Mick Barry. They come from a particular background and have a particular point of view.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: And others, maybe. I have a different perspective. I am the Minister. I have to take what I believe to be the right view.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I cannot answer all the questions but I will get answers because they are related to specific routes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I have made plain to the bodies involved - CIE and others - the importance we attach to accessibility and that public transport is accessible.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: All new infrastructure is built to be accessible, for example, the Luas and others. It does not answer the Deputy's questions in terms of specific routes or breaches of or non-compliance with disability rules, but I will respond to them. I do not know the answers now because it is too early to say.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: That is a matter for the NTA, but I will find out.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I do not know, because it is too soon. I will find out.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I will find out, and will convey and support the views of the Deputy because I think he is right

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I have not given them any policy directions at all. I have had-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: -----briefings with them on several occasions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I cannot confirm that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I am sure that the figure of €40 million is right. The figure is not calculated by head of population. One would expect a higher use in the cities than elsewhere.