Results 12,181-12,200 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (6 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the operation and delivery of the vehicle testing arrangements.  For this reason, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on an individual test. The National Car Test (NCT) is operated to the very highest quality standards and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (6 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area. In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (6 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS) is currently the subject of on-going legal proceedings by retired members of daa, Shannon Airport Authority, Aer Lingus and the former SR Technics.  Those proceedings began in July 2015.  As this matter is sub judiceI am unable to comment any further on the issue.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Data (6 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: There are currently no secondees from the companies listed working in my Department. I have asked the State agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the Deputy with the information requested directly. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within ten working days, you should advise my private office.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network Expansion (6 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.The National Transport Authority, NTA, has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the greater Dublin area, GDA. The Navan rail link project was originally included under the Transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Mountain Rescue Service (6 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: There is no published scheme for the Mountain Rescue grants. A key criterion for eligibility for a grant is that they are declared resources to an An Garda Siochana who are responsible for tasking the Mountain Rescue Teams. The grants are administered in line with the relevant grant circular, 13/2014.  The amount allocated to mountain rescue funding in 2018 will be broadly in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (6 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 549 together. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants.The initial selection and prioritisation of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Child Safety (6 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: At the outset it is important to highlight that the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, under the aegis of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, is the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children, and provides valuable guidelines in matters relating to child protection.  Tusla has published Children First:National Guidance which...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Question Heading for question(s) 551 (6 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: In our increasingly multi-cultural society, the positive role and contribution of sport in fostering greater societal inclusion and integration deserves acknowledgement. I am pleased therefore to note and support the positive example cited by the Deputy. My Department is currently developing a new national sports policy, which will reflect the need to increase...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Maintenance Funding (6 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: School Transport Eligibility (6 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the transport operator 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.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Harbour Authorities (6 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Senator for bringing up this issue, which is one which has been going on for far longer than would be preferable. The issue of transfer is thorny and has now become a political football. It is a matter of conflict between various parties. I will not and do not have to duck out of anything, but the real problem, as the Senator is aware, is that there are two court cases which...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Harbour Authorities (6 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: This is a constructive and sensible discussion. I will respond by saying unless something occurs to me in the next couple of days, I will seriously consider appointing two directors. I will do that through the Public Appointments Service, PAS, process. I would not have any direct involvement in it. It will take place through the process set up by my Department. This will mean that the...

Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Troy for raising this very important issue. He has asked me to address the report on the future of the rail network, which I intend to do. The rail review report was undertaken jointly by the National Transport Authority, NTA, and Iarnród Éireann and published in 2016. The NTA then held a public consultation on the published review. The purpose of the review was...

Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for addressing these problems again and repeating what he had to say in the first place, partly, I suppose, because he feels I did not answer all of his questions. A lot of what the Deputy says is correct, but the CIÉ group, in particular Iarnród Éireann, is in a better place than it was two or three years ago. Things are improving significantly. Part of...

Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Last year, passenger numbers on Irish Rail services increased by 6% from 42.8 million to 45.5 million passenger journeys per annum.

Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The introduction of new passenger services, such as the service through the Phoenix Park tunnel from the Kildare line to the stations between Connolly Station and Grand Canal Dock for commuters, have helped to keep passenger numbers expanding.

Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The planned expansion of DART services to a ten-minute frequency and further enhancements of other commuter services will also help to grow the business further. It is not fair to come in and say things are getting worse when they are improving. They cannot all get better at the same time, but the Deputy is aware-----

Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy is aware of the great potential and the commitments that will be given in the national development plan. These will include many of the things the Deputy seeks. I ask for a little patience. The CIÉ group of companies is coming out of a very dark place. If we can get them out of that, we will have achieved a great deal for the nation and the travelling public.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licence Renewals (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Driver licences were previously issued for a fixed period - five or ten years depending on the category - plus the unexpired period on the old licence. As EU law requires fixed periods for certain categories of driving licences, the addition of the unexpired period of the previous licence raised difficulties at EU level, and the EU Commission began infringement proceedings against...