Results 9,301-9,320 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Other Questions: Bus Éireann (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I am a shareholder that allows Bus Éireann to get on with its job and to reduce its figures. Do not ask me to pre-empt them before they are even audited. That would be utterly and totally irresponsible. I utterly accept what is being said at the moment as being an honest reflection of the figures that are anticipated for 2016 and 2017.

Other Questions: Road Projects (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 82 together. I have a rather long answer for the Deputy, but I will amalgamate the two questions. Forgive me if I take a few minutes to do it. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in regard to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a...

Other Questions: Road Projects (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I gave a commitment to Deputy Smith that I would do that and when I leave this evening I will find out the current position. The Deputy was seeking special EU cohesion funds for Border areas, which I consider a reasonable request. I do not know the current position. It was only a couple of weeks ago and I do not know if we have received a response at this stage. I will follow it up...

Other Questions: Road Projects (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The issue is simply that the detail is not known. I take the Deputies' point, however, because I know the Border counties are feeling the pinch already, particularly on trade and by small and medium enterprises to which both Deputies referred. This will obviously have a knock-on effect on infrastructure and roads. My Department has submitted its proposals for the current capital review....

Other Questions: Road Projects (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 70 together. I will be as fast as I can. Deputy Griffin will be aware that I was meant to travel the road in question with him last week. Unfortunately, I had to postpone my visit, for which I apologise, as a result of events in County Mayo. I will visit the area in the next week or two or soon after Easter to see the route at first hand....

Other Questions: Road Projects (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputies Brendan Griffin and Aindrias Moynihan for raising this issue which has been addressed many times previously. I assure them I will give the matter due and serious consideration in the capital review.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Expenditure Programme (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The Government's Capital Plan allocates just over €3.6 billion for investment in public transport for the period 2016 to 2022.  Over this period, the level of annual funding for public transport investment will increase to more than €800m by 2022.  This will facilitate a significant upgrade to the public transport system, particularly in the Greater...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Light Rail Projects Status (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to proceed with the new Metro North project and as I have outlined in my reply to the previous question, funding is provided in the Capital Plan to facilitate construction of the link commencing in 2021 with a view to delivery by 2026/2027. The decision to proceed with new Metro North followed...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network Safety (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: Staffing levels at train stations are an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and not issues in which I have any statutory function. I have however been informed that there are no plans to make either Portarlington or Portlaoise stations unmanned. The broader issue of staffling levels at stations generally is under review by the Company, primarily in response to changes in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to reviewing public transport policy so as to ensure services are sustainable into the future and are meeting the needs of a modern economy. My Department's Statement of Strategy 2016-2019 lists the publication of a new Public Transport Policy Statement as a key indicator of progress. My Department plans...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority Reports (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The Deputy may wish to note that I responded in relation to this RSA survey on 24 January this year, in Question No. 607 of that day.​ As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for legislation in this area.  The prevention/detection of driving while disqualified is a matter for An Garda Síochána, and falls within the remit of the Tánaiste and Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Management (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​I fully recognise that there is considerable evidence emerging of increased travel demand across the Dublin Region in general. Insofar as congestion issues in Dublin are concerned, the National Transport Authority's (NTA) transport strategy for the Greater Dublin Area provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services over the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbours and Piers (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company is designated under National Ports Policy for transfer to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. Since the transfer process commenced, senior officials from my Department have met with Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, and the CE and senior officials of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, on a number of occasions, to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Industrial Disputes (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 38 and 89 together. First of all I want to be very clear that the issues currently arising within Bus Éireann stem from their commercial Expressway routes and are not related to taxpayer funding. The vast majority of Bus Éireann routes and passengers relate to its PSO business and are funded by the taxpayer. In Budget 2017 I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Military Aircraft Landings (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​International civil aviation is governed by the Chicago Convention. Annex 10 of the Convention deals with aeronautical telecommunication and contains detailed regulations in relation to all radio communication matters, including the use of call signs by aircraft. Call signs are unique identifiers used by an aircraft in radio communications, in compliance with international and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Policy (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​I fully recognise the importance of the provision of walking and cycling infrastructure which supports sustainable travel to schools and colleges.  The Deputy will recall that the precise targets set out in the Smarter Travel policy and the National Cycle Policy Framework were largely predicated on the availability of the substantial funding which did not transpire because...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Industrial Disputes (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​In recent months I have taken action on a number of fronts in order to address issues raised by stakeholders in Bus Éireann. I have increased the amount of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding so that in 2017 almost €263million will be provided to the NTA to allocate to public transport operators. That figure represents an 11% increase on 2016 and I have publicly...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Regulations (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I refer the Deputy to my response to Priority Question No 1. As I stated, officials in my Department are currently engaged with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in order to finalise the details relating to the statutory instrument which will transpose EU Regulation 598/2014.  While I fully recognise and regret that the legislative requirements to give full effect to Regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure Provision (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The funding allocation for public transport under the current Capital Plan is €3.6 billion. Due to constrained levels of funding available in the early years of the plan, the priority in this period is to ensure the safety and efficiency of existing transport infrastructure. Funding of €2.6bn has been prioritised for essential 'steady state' maintenance and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (22 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Cavan is the statutory responsibility of Cavan 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 works to be funded is also a matter for...