Results 9,261-9,280 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (21 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Irish Rail 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: Noise Pollution (21 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, the daa has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport, including the North Runway project. However, in order to be of assistance, I have had enquiries made and I understand from daa that it continues to provide information on noise to local communities.  Most recently, it arranged a presentation by experts Bickerdike Allen...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Services (21 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The vast majority of people in rural Ireland travel on Public Service Obligation (PSO) services funded by the Exchequer. These services are not under threat. In fact, passenger numbers and funding levels are increasing and new and additional services are being provided by operators under contract with the National Transport Authority. Similarly the Rural Transport Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (21 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, in light of concerns expressed regarding the Executive Order signed by US President Donald J. Trump on 27 January 2017, the Taoiseach requested that the relevant departments undertake a review of US Preclearance at Dublin and Shannon Airports. My Department, along with the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Justice and Equality contributed to this Review...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Facilities Provision (21 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: Substantial work has been undertaken already to develop the National Sports Campus to meet the evolving needs of the sporting community in Ireland and I am fully committed to its further development.  As the Deputy is aware, significant progress in recent years means world-class facilities are now in place at the National Sports Campus for a variety...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Calming Measures (21 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority, 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 works to be funded is also a matter...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Allowances (21 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The information the deputy is seeking is currently being collated and checked and a reply will be forwarded to the deputy in due course.

Priority Questions: Aviation Industry Regulations (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: There is a question about the Coast Guard and I will reciprocate the Deputy's sincere comments, with the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's indulgence, when the question arises. I echo the Deputy's comments in the meantime and it is of course a very sad day for the nation and people of all political parties. Sympathies must go to the families. I thank Deputy Troy for putting this question. The...

Priority Questions: Aviation Industry Regulations (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: There are a lot of questions to answer. The Deputy correctly stated the reply is similar to that on the previous occasion. This is a complex statutory instrument. We do not know at this stage whether there will necessarily be primary legislation but I suspect there will be. As the Deputy will be aware, it is extremely important it is robust and will not be challenged. It is important...

Priority Questions: Aviation Industry Regulations (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I will answer that in my next contribution, with this next bit as well.

Priority Questions: Aviation Industry Regulations (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I will not give the Deputy a deadline date but it is a matter of urgency. I have made that quite clear. That question was repeated. It is a matter of urgency but I will not say it will be next week when there are complex legal problems involved. Deputy Troy can be assured I will be putting pressure on all parties involved to get this to us quickly. The Minister of State, Deputy...

Priority Questions: Road Tolls (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Munster for this question which is on the same lines as questions the Deputy has been following up over a period of time. ​As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in regard to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure...

Priority Questions: Road Tolls (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I understand the reasons Deputy Munster is saying this - it is her constituency and her constituents obviously feel this is unfair to them. I do not accept that the figures are made up. I accept the fact that they may be subjective and not entirely and totally accurate in circumstances where one cannot measure it down to the last lorry or car, but the Deputy must accept that a contract has...

Priority Questions: Road Tolls (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: If the Deputy wishes to say the TII's figures are wrong, I would like her to produce evidence to the contrary. I would like her to produce conflicting figures.

Priority Questions: Road Tolls (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The Deputy said they are wrong, makey-up figures. She may be right but there is no evidence for it whatsoever. I assume TII, which is employed to do this sort of work, has an expertise in tolling and counting the number of cars and lorries that go through. The Deputy has produced no evidence whatsoever that it is incorrect.

Priority Questions: Road Tolls (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I am not going to interfere with a single toll in a single place because that is not my role as Minister. It is the TII's role. I understand the reasons the Deputy raises the matter, but I note that the aim of the Donore ramp toll plazas was to help the local communities by mitigating possible rat-running with adverse impacts on them. In response to concerns expressed about the possible...

Priority Questions: Bus Éireann (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I share the Deputy's concern about this particular problem, which is still going on as we speak and remains unresolved.​ As I have previously indicated to the Deputy, during the course of 2016 Bus Éireann management worked on developing a business plan to address the loss making situation in its commercial Expressway business. Several drafts of Bus Éireann's proposals were...

Priority Questions: Bus Éireann (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: Let me answer that question as fully as I possibly can for the Deputy with regard to implementation of the plan without the agreement of the unions. It is not for me to intervene between management and unions in this particular dispute, and I certainly would not be intervening to approve or disapprove of the plan proceeding. I have made it absolutely clear that my intention during the...

Priority Questions: Bus Éireann (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I agree with much of what Deputy Troy said at the end. If structural reform is necessary, certainly the NTA, I, as Minister, the workforce, the management and others will have a serious role to play. I agree with that absolutely.

Priority Questions: Bus Éireann (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: It will be the shareholders' duty to get involved in structural reform, if that is necessary, but not to get involved in an industrial relations dispute. I have made it quite clear to Deputy Troy and others in the House many times that once the dispute-----