Results 9,161-9,180 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Topical Issue Debate: Traffic Management (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: What else have we done? I suggest to the Deputy that he is not acknowledging some of the things we have done. In the period 2015-18, several matters will be addressed. First, Luas Cross City will be completed this year, on time. The train service on the Kildare rail line will link with the city centre through the Phoenix Park tunnel. A ten minute DART service will be provided during...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Insurance Coverage (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The issues raised are primarily operational matters for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). I have referred the Deputy's question to the IAA for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days. I have been informed by the Minister for Finance that his attention has not been previously drawn to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Details of the regional and local road grant payments to local authorities for the period 2014-2016 are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library. Details of the 2017 regional and local road grant allocations to each County Council are also available in the Dáil library. Regional and Local Road allocations...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Toll Operators (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together. 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 implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I am responsible for overall policy for the commercial ports sector and the corporate governance of the commercial port companies operating under the Harbours Acts 1996 to 2015. The core objective of National Ports Policy is to facilitate a competitive and effective market for maritime transport services. National Ports Policy also clearly...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The decision to pay a dividend to the Minister as shareholder is entirely a matter for the Board of a port company, which takes this decision, based on their assessment of what is best for the company, in discharge of their fiduciary duties under the Companies Acts. In reaching such a decision the Board must be cognisant of the cash position of the company, not overexposing the company to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: As Minister, I have no involvement in the day to day operations of the commercial port companies. The financial management of the commercial ports and their subsidiaries is a matter for the port companies concerned. I understand from Drogheda Port Company that the company has not made a financial provision against its share, loan and credit investment in its subsidiary company. Drogheda...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Facilities (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Ports have a number of different methods of organising stevedoring services. Some ports licence private operators to provide this service, while others provide stevedoring services through subsidiary companies in competition with private sector parties. The model chosen and the advantages conferred on the ports sector by the various models, are...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legal Proceedings (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Legal proceedings are being taken by a number of pensioners of the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS) against Ireland and the Attorney General. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, together with other relevant Departments, are assisting the Attorney General's Office in defending this action. As the matter is the subject of on-going legal...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together. 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 implementation of individual road projects (including sections of the N2 road scheme) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015...

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

Shane Ross: ​I am of course aware that Bus Éireann has recently announced service alterations to a small number of Expressway services, including route 33 Dublin to Derry. The Deputy is no doubt aware that Expressway services are commercial services operated by Bus Éireann and licensed under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. These routes are not eligible for any...

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

Shane Ross: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the local authority's own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Kildare 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 grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of projects (including future projects)...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Applications (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme. All of the 2,320 applications received under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme will be assessed by officials in my Department over the coming months.  An announcement regarding allocations will be made later this year.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Project Funding (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy.  It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects.  These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.  While the Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism offerings,...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank all the Senators who have contributed so far to this debate and those who are going to do so shortly. Many of the arguments that were made, particularly on the Sinn Féin side, are convincing and have great merit. I have absolutely no doubt about that. I have reservations, however, about spooking the entire industry when targeting it for what are undoubtedly wrongs,...

Topical Issue Debate: Disabled Drivers Permits (9 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I acknowledge the issue raised by the Deputy. While I obviously cannot comment on a specific case as I do not know the full details, I recognise the bona fides of what the Deputy has said and that there is a difficulty in the case. I am quite prepared to look at it in a different forum, in other words, not in a public forum, to see if anything can be done. What the Deputy is really saying...

Topical Issue Debate: Disabled Drivers Permits (9 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I have very little to add except to say it might be more appropriate to give this specific case to the man on my right than to me but I would be quite happy to pass it to whoever is the right person and have it looked at. The Minister of State has just passed me a note stating he is working on a new motor transport Bill for 4,700 people with disabilities and it might be appropriate to be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Programme Funding (9 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Budget 2017 provided for a total allocation of €14.4 million to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP). This is the confirmed RTP allocation for this year, and any percentage increases over whatever timeframe, using whatever basis, may be calculated from it. However, I would caution that whatever calculations the Deputy might use, such figures would only...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Obligation Levy (9 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, in Budget 2017 I secured an 11% increase in the amount of funding available for Public Service Obligation and I can confirm that €262.958 million is available to the National Transport Authority in 2017. As requested the cost​ of the requested incremental​​ ​increases are set out in tabular form below:2017 PSO...