Results 9,581-9,600 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Topical Issue Debate: Cycling Policy (30 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: What the Deputy said about cycling facilities being underfunded is fair. I intend to address that after the mid-term capital review and, if possible, before that.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (30 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The Department of Education and Skills has overall lead responsibility for skills development policy generally across all sectors, including hospitality and tourism and oversees the bulk of training provided nationally, channelling funding through its agency SOLAS for further education and through the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for higher education. A limited number of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (30 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​As Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 the N52) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. ...

Topical Issue Debate: Bus Éireann (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputies for their constructive responses. I welcome this afternoon's announcement that both parties have accepted an invitation from the WRC to recommence discussions. I hope that they can use this opportunity to agree an acceptable and fair deal. The travelling public in particular will expect that the parties can come to an agreement that allows for an end to this recent...

Topical Issue Debate: Bus Éireann (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I have intervened where I believe it to be appropriate for me as Minister to do so. I have intervened to secure increased funding for those socially necessary but financially non-viable PSO services. Bus Éireann benefitted from that increase last year and will benefit again this year. I have intervened to state publicly my commitment to increasing that PSO allocation in future budgets...

Topical Issue Debate: Bus Éireann (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank the House. I want a public transport system that delivers for all of society, one that provides the infrastructure and services that a 21st century Ireland demands and requires. I genuinely believe that Bus Éireann has a role to play in that system and I have no wish to privatise it, as has been alleged in many quarters many times. I believe the company can continue to serve...

Topical Issue Debate: Bus Éireann (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputies again for their contributions. I get the feeling that the prospect of a resolution of this problem does not fill the Deputies' hearts with joy. Some of the things that were said here this afternoon were foolish and unhelpful to a resolution. I would have expected every Deputy to join me in welcoming the fact that both parties have now gone back to the WRC. That is a...

Topical Issue Debate: Bus Éireann (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: If Deputy Martin was as accurate with his accusations as he was with what he said today on Leaders' Questions, it would be helpful. He was completely wrong in what he said on Leaders' Questions today. He should check his facts before he comes into the House and makes statements of the sort he did.

Topical Issue Debate: Bus Éireann (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I accept a lot of what people say about the public transport system. As Deputies Broughan, Bríd Smith and others said, it is my business to get involved in many of the issues they mentioned. I will get involved in those issues. I repeat my public offer to the unions, management, the NTA and all stakeholders that the moment the dispute is over, I will be happy to welcome them to the...

Topical Issue Debate: Bus Éireann (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I wish to address privatisation because the mantra is repeated time and again. Privatisation is not on the agenda. Those who say it is are deliberately misleading the people in the Gallery. I have no intention of going down that road, nor will I do so.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Reports (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: ​As the Deputy is aware, a public consultation process held by the National Transport Authority to start a national debate on the current and future role of rail transport in Ireland  was launched in November 2016. The public consultation was launched with the publication of a Rail Review 2016 report-which examined the funding required to support the heavy rail network both now...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Data (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: A list of all the applications submitted under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme is available on the Department's website at

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: Currently, there are two options available to motorists who wish to have their vehicles tested before their NCT due date. They may either have their vehicle tested up to 90 days in advance of their test due date without affecting the validity period of the test certificate issued or the next test due date. Alternatively, a vehicle may be submitted for voluntary...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Industrial Disputes (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Company 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: Road Safety Authority Data (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The recent revelations about Garda figures for numbers of preliminary breath tests conducted, while deeply concerning, do not have any relation to the drink driving figures produced by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), which rely on a different data set. The Garda figures which have recently been shown to be inaccurate are figures for the number of preliminary breath tests carried...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority Data (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I have referred the Deputy's question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Expenditure (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 634 and 635 together. As the Deputy is aware, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (including bridges) in Tipperary is the statutory responsibility of Tipperary 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Expenditure (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Due to the major cutbacks in roads funding arising from the financial crisis, it was necessary for my Department to cease making separate allocations to local authorities in 2012 in respect of the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS). Details of the allocations in respect of LIS to local authorities for 2010 and 2011 were as follows; ​Year ​Total LIS Allocation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drug and Alcohol Testing (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Preliminary testing for the presence of drugs in drivers is provided for in the Road Traffic Act 2016.  It is my intention to commence the provisions relating to such tests from 13 April next. The recent revelations about the counting of numbers of preliminary breath tests conducted by An Garda Síochána, while deeply concerning, do not have an impact on the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Tolls (4 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to roads.  The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects on national roads are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority.  For regional and local...