Results 10,741-10,760 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services Provision (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: The Capital Plan 2016-21 includes a commitment that the Government will commission a feasibility study to examine options for expanding freight transport on the railways. Iarnród Éireann is currently the only rail freight service provider in the Irish market and provides this service on a commercial basis. Iarnród Éireann is itself seeking to grow its rail freight...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1083 and 1087 to 1090, inclusive, 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 national road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Development (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród 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: Ports Development (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1085, 1091 and 1117 together. The Deputy is aware that Rosslare Europort is unique among the State owned ports as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts, but is instead operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann. The status of the port, and whether its current status potentially inhibits its developments, was most...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenways Development (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Wexford County Council and New Ross Town Council both submitted applications under the last tranche of the National Cycle Network (NCN) 2014-2016 funding programme for the construction of greenways along the River Slaney Trail and the disused New Ross railway respectively. Neither project secured funding at that time due to the significant over subscription for funding....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1092, 1093 and 1109 together. As the Deputy is aware, while I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme, the planning, design and implementation of individual road projects (such as the N2) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, in conjunction with the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Fleet (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the renewal of the bus fleet in respect of Public Service Obligation (PSO) services operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. Noting the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Staff (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1096 to 1106, inclusive, together. The issues raised are matters for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions 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: Tourism Project Funding (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy.  While my Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland for tourism development, it is not directly involved in the management or development of grant schemes or other programmes and supports for individual tourism businesses.  Furthermore, my Department does not have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test Centres (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.  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: Tourism Promotion (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: The Tourism Marketing Fund in 2011 was €46.083 million while the 2017 allocation is €35.853 million. The cost of restoring the Marketing Fund to 2011 levels would be €10.23 million (+28.5%) on a full year basis.   The Tourism Action Plan (2016-2018) is committed to seeking to restore the Tourism Marketing Fund to pre-recession levels on a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Housing Policy (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: Officials of my Department's Tourism Division are in discussions with officials in the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in relation to the matters raised, primarily through their participation on the recently established cross-Departmental/Agency Working Group on Short Term Lettings established by the latter Department.  Fáilte Ireland is also...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The release of the latest projections of greenhouse gas emissions by the Environmental Protection Agency illustrates the enormous challenge facing Ireland to reduce our emissions. These projections indicate that emissions from those sectors of the economy not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), including the transport sector, could be between 4% and 6% below 2005 levels...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, the responsibility for emissions reduction is a collective one and Ireland's emission targets are national and not sectoral by nature. It is clear, however, that Transport has an important role to play in reducing the national emissions profile. The legislative framework governing the EU's 2020 emissions reductions targets includes a number of flexibility mechanisms...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Expenditure Programme Review (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: In order for Ireland to effectively and equitably contribute to the EU emissions reduction commitments in line with the Paris Agreement and the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015,an ambitious low-carbon development strategy has been outlined in the soon-to-be-published National Mitigation Plan. As the Deputy may know, I have strongly made the case for increased...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Expenditure (13 Jul 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 national road projects, including those specified by the Deputy, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Skills Shortages (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I understand that, following from an independent review commissioned by Fáilte Ireland of its investment in tourism and hospitality education, the Authority has accepted the recommendations put forward including a recommendation to withdraw from its current funding commitments in an orderly manner. As the matter raised is an operational matter for the board and management...

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Greenways Development (20 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: It is nice to be here even if it is to take four Commencement matters in a row, which is probably a record for the Seanad. I hope my record will never be beaten. I thank Senator Craughwell for bringing this matter to the House and giving me an opportunity to address same. I know that he is, as I am, a great believer in both the railways and greenways. He has been a champion of both but...

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Greenways Development (20 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Senator Craughwell. I will do that shortly. I would be delighted to be taken around by Deputy Canney, who is a colleague of mine, and also if Senator Craughwell wants to come himself or if any of the local councillors want to come to meet me there when I will see for myself what the problem is.

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Shannon Airport Facilities (20 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Senator Gavan for bringing this important matter to the attention of the House. I will answer it as comprehensively as I can.A large number of people have derived an enormous amount of amusement from quoting things I have said in the Dáil when in opposition, which they think I will find difficult to reconcile with what I am doing in government. I understand that. I will do my...