Results 11,701-11,720 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (28 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: Driver Licences (28 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 564 and 565 together. Initial Basic Training (IBT) is a requirement of the motorcycle learner process, and was introduced in 2011 as part of the Graduated Driver Licensing system. Under the Road Traffic (Courses of Instruction) (Motorcycles) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 681 of 2011), which provide for IBT, anyone acquiring a learner permit for a motorcycle...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test Data (28 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: Railway Stations (28 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I wish to advise the Deputy that my previous reply in response to Dáil Question No. 1045 on 13 July 2017 from the Deputy on this issue remains unchanged.  Iarnród Éireann has not made any proposal to my Department regarding Dunleer railway station and the reopening of the station is not included in the public transport projects under the Government's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (28 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: 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 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, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (28 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation of the heavy rail network and for assessing rolling stock requirements for the network are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance in conjunction with the National Transport Authority.  Noting the responsibility of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (28 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads and traffic management within its area of responsibility is the statutory responsibility of each local authority.  As regards the grants provided by my Department to local authorities to supplement their own expenditure relating to road maintenance and improvement, the four Dublin Councils became self funding for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Foireann Roinne (28 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 573 and 574 together. There are currently 513 staff, including temporary staff, in my Department and I anticipate this will increase to 514 by year end.  80 staff have been recruited in to my Department this year, in the main to fill vacancies arising from transfers, retirements, etc.  There is one post which requires competence in the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together. The Government is committed to facilitating an increased uptake of electric vehicles (EVs). The Deputy may be aware that my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment (DCCAE), have jointly convened an interdepartmental LEV Task Force to consider the range...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I was delighted to secure funding as part of Budget 2018 to support a range of low carbon transport options, including the transition of our SPSV (Taxi/Hackney/Limousine) sector to electric vehicles. This sector plays a vital role in championing the use of electric vehicles to members of the public, and in reducing harmful tailpipe emissions particularly across our...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry Regulation (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: Five axle non-articulated trucks (rigids) are a relatively recent phenomenon on Irish roads. Across the EU there is no maximum weight 'norm' for such vehicles and a lacuna in Ireland's Construction and Use Regulations has meant that a maximum weight limit for such vehicles has hitherto remained unstipulated. It is precisely to correct this regulatory anomaly that Transport Infrastructure...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network Safety (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, plans have been developed for a new train station at Pelletstown, approximately mid-way between Broombridge and Ashtown railway stations. As well as serving this area with a new train station, this facility also incorporates a pedestrian/cycle bridge over both the railway and the canal at this location. This will link with the canal towpath on the north side of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test Data (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: The average waiting times for driving tests at all centres are available on the Road Safety Authority (RSA) website at www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Test-Wait ing-Times. The average waiting time is an average of current waiting times for applicants at each Test Centre.  Applicants will have waiting times both longer and shorter than the average. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licence Renewals (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: Irish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law.  Under EU law, Member States may issue driving licences only to those normally resident in their jurisdiction. A person may remain 'normally resident' if they are out of the country for fixed-term contract of work or for a fixed period of study.  However, we cannot issue driving licences to people who have taken up...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Policy (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I am acutely aware of the importance of safety for our cyclists and I am very conscious of the increase in cycling fatalities this year. My Department continues to work with and fund key stakeholders to address how road users behave on our roads in order to promote a safe and respectful approach from all users sharing the public road space. The Road Safety Authority, which...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus 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: Capital Expenditure Programme (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: Full details on the allocations for each of my Department's subheads for 2018 will be set out, as usual, in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV).  In the meantime my Department is in discussion with relevant agencies regarding the details of allocations. The Government has also proposed that a ten year national investment plan will be set out which will take account of the National...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Funding (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, as part of Budget 2018, I secured a significant increase in the level of Exchequer capital funding available for investment in cycling infrastructure over the period 2018-2021. Capital investment of over €110m will develop cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and Regional Cities over...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Improvement Scheme Expenditure (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: Due to the major cutbacks in roads funding resulting from the financial crisis it was necessary for my Department to cease making separate allocations to local authorities in respect of the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) in 2011. Since then local authorities have had the option of using a proportion of their Discretionary Grant for LIS should they wish to do so. The decision...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Park and Ride Facilities (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 423 and 424 together. The collection and collation of transport statistics is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport operators and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.