Results 9,621-9,640 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together. 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 is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: In common with the rest of Government there has been deep analysis of the challenges which all industries and commercial sectors, including the tourism industry, will face as a result of the outcome of the UK Referendum. There are several inter-departmental groups, each with a specific focus, preparing for Brexit and there has been significant engagement with industry and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I wrote to the National Director of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland (CTTC) on 10 March to advise him of the proposal to use a legislative remedy to rectify this specific matter in view of the difficulties being faced by the operator affected. Amendment regulations are being finalised to help resolve this matter and I am advised that it is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Industrial Disputes (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: The Company's website has information regarding refunds due to industrial action under its "Customer Services / Bus Éireann FAQ" section. ​ As the issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have also 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: Industrial Disputes (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I have consistently stated that I will not dictate to management and unions about their internal issues and nor will I become involved in discussions about how the Company organises itself in terms of its work practices etc. These are issues which require agreement between management and unions. However, in those areas where I believe it to be appropriate to act, I have acted. - I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have no role in these matters. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Consultancy Contracts Data (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The information requested by the Deputy is a matter for agencies themselves. Your query will be forwarded to the agencies under my Department's remit for direct response to you. If you do not get a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Information (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 326 together. Brexit has the potential to have serious adverse economic transport and tourism impacts and as a result has been identified as the main strategic risk facing the Department. The Department in response has organised itself internally and while all relevant areas of the Department are actively engaged in Brexit related work and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: ​In common with the rest of Government there has been deep analysis of the challenges which industry and the commercial sectors, including the tourism industry, faces because of the outcome of the UK Referendum. Even prior to the referendum result, there was a commitment in the Government's Tourism Policy Statement "People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Shannon Airport Authority (SAA), a subsidiary of Shannon Group plc, has statutory responsibility for the management and operation of Shannon Airport and as such the issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the company.  That said, SAA is conscious of the need to control its costs so that it can remain competitive and continue to attract new...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Data (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: ​In recognition of the growing body of evidence emerging of increased travel demand across the Dublin region in particular, my Department's economic and financial evaluation unit has undertaken a research project to estimate the cost of aggravated congestion across Ireland's transport system. Aggravated congestion occurs when the number of vehicles on a part of the network is higher...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Obligation Services (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 to 333, inclusive, together. The Public Service Obligation, PSO, air services regime operates in accordance with EU Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1008/2008. The current contract to provide PSO air services between Dublin and the airports in Donegal and Kerry was awarded to Stobart Air and signed on 23 December 2014 following an EU...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank the joint committee for giving me the opportunity to engage in a pre-legislative discussion of the Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty – Drink Driving) Bill 2017. It is a short but important Bill. I appreciate the opportunity to explain what it is about and look forward to hearing the committee's views on it. It is also appreciated that it has taken it today as a matter of urgency....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Senator Feighan for what I believe is a very balanced approach to this Bill. I can see the argument about it being anti-rural and the majority of the opposition to it seems to be coming from rural areas. It is quite understandable. We all know the reasons for that. The pub is such an integral part of rural life and such a centre of the community, more so than in urban areas, and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I have just been handed some statistics, which seem to indicate that it is an increasing problem.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: There is not another figure. We have not included the figures for drugs, although there was a Bill introduced at the end of last year, as the Senator knows, which means that we will find another ingredient. However, we have not got the figures for those and they are not included in this at all. The only figures we have show a marked increase, particularly in 2016. Between 2012 and 2016,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: I am open to correction, but from memory I think 758 was a mistake or a misprint. It should have been 578. It was then adjusted to 617 because the numbers are adjusted all the time. The figure is 617.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: That is correct.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: Approximately. I think that is probably right.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Shane Ross: Yes.