Results 11,521-11,540 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Rail Network Expansion (16 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Rail Network Expansion (16 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I will respond to Senator O'Donnell's remarks. I had hoped we would have this exchange in the context of Ireland having won the bid to host the Rugby World Cup. Unfortunately, we will not see any of those games in Thomond Park in 2023. I congratulate the French but the result was disappointing. This is the first opportunity I have had to speak on the issue since coming back from...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Rail Network Expansion (16 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: This is an ambitious Government which is not frightened of spending on infrastructure and is absolutely determined to do so. That said, we will not do anything irresponsible. Projects of this nature which have an intrinsic merit should be raised and taken seriously. Nothing is impossible. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Rail Network Expansion (16 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: The seed the Senator has sown is welcome. All seeds are welcome. Other seeds the Senator has sown and nurtured here will come to development. When the Senator put the ideas to me initially, I was not sceptical but felt it was difficult to realise them. The proposed project should be considered in that light. It will be for the future. I am not coming in here just to eliminate...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Disabled Drivers Permits (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: The Disabled Parking Permit (also known as European Parking Card or Disabled Parking Badge) is available to people living in Ireland with a permanent disability, medical condition, severe mobility difficulties and to people who are registered blind.  The medical criteria for issue of the permit are strict and only persons whose mobility is severely and permanently restricted qualify. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test Regulations (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I am glad that the Deputy has raised this important matter. There is a considerable burden placed on individual citizens by the need to provide a variety of documents to different State bodies when applying for different public services.  For many years now it has been policy - under successive governments and enshrined in law since 2005 as part of the Social Welfare Consolidation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Funding (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I secured funding of €116m in Budget 2018 for the development of cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and Regional Areas over the next four years. The recent budget 2018 also saw an increase of €30 million in the allocation for Greenways bringing the total allocation for the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: This is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the 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: Driver Licensing Exchange Agreements (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: This question relates to the signing of an agreement with British Columbia on the mutual exchange of driving licences.  I am happy to say that the answer is yes.  At the time of the question to which the Deputy refers, I explained that agreement on exchange had been reached in principle, and that the next events were to be the signing of a formal agreement and the signing of an...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (21 Nov 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  is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.  Within its capital budget,...

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

Shane Ross: In line with the Programme For Government commitment to continuing progress on the National Sports Campus, in Budget 2017 it was confirmed that the Government has committed 16 million euro to develop a National Velodrome and Badminton Centre at the campus in 2020 and 2021. The proposed facility will comprise a 250 metre cycling track, 12-16 Badminton Courts in the in-track...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority Administration (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area. On that basis, the NTA are best placed to advise taxi drivers on any changes to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, Minister Coveney has responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government response to Brexit. In this capacity, he is working closely with his colleagues across Government to address the many challenges resulting from Brexit. This cooperation also involves the relevant State Agencies. Work at Cabinet...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Training (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I have outlined, for the Deputy, in the table the cost of providing training and coaching to staff of the Department in the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017 and the companies who delivered training courses.  The training and development of individual staff in the Department is a key component of ensuring the delivery of the business needs and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Aviation Authority (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: As I advised the Dáil on October 11 this year, it has been determined, based on the most recent legal advices provided to me through the Office of the Attorney General, that the Irish Aviation Authority is not an approporiate body to act as the Competent Authority for the purposes of EU Regulation 598/2014.  This represented a departure from previous...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Policy (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I wish to advise the Deputy that officials from my Department have had a number of interactions with the Healthy Ireland Division of the Department of Health throughout 2016 and 2017 to discuss issues supportive of cycling.  These discussions led to Healthy Ireland providing funding for Cycle Right, the new National Cycle Training Standard. The Department has...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Passengers Data (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, 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: Departmental Contracts (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 509 and 510 together. There are no companies renting a fixing or space on telecoms and or telecommunications masts from this Department.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Bodies Establishment (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I am not giving consideration at this time to the creation of a separate subsidiary company under Irish Rail to operate Rosslare Europort. 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.  This is due to a complicated legislative...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Planning Framework (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I am fully aware of the importance in enhancing regional accessibility and I note the emphasis on the matter as proposed by the draft National Planning Framework. I am not aware that the Group in question has submitted a request to meet. If they would like to send a request to my Office that request will obviously be given consideration.