Results 12,341-12,360 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (14 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The introduction of a national accreditation programme for car mechanics does not fall under the remit of my Department. In general, Further Education and Training awards, the validation of education and training programmes, and the National Framework of Qualifications are administered by Quality and Qualifications Ireland, which falls under the aegis of the Minister for Education and Skills.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (14 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The Road Safety Authority, which comes under my Department's remit, has responsibility for the National Car Testing Service and Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test, both of which will detect vehicles that do not meet the required roadworthiness standards. However, the standards of vehicle maintenance, as with other service standards, is a consumer rights matter and falls within the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (14 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that at present I have no plans to introduce a scheme for accreditation of bicycle mechanics. I am acutely aware, however, of the importance of cyclist safety and 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycle to Work Scheme (14 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 together. As the Deputy is aware, tax policy generally and tax incentives, such as the tax exempt benefit of kind under the Bicycle-to-work scheme, are matters for the Minister for Finance in the first instance. I am very supportive of the Cycle to Work Scheme, which is a tax incentive aimed at encouraging employees to cycle to and from...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (14 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus 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: Pension Schemes (14 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Issues in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees. In a Topical Issues debate in this House on 6 December 2017, I outlined the challenges faced in addressing the solvency of the schemes and the process underway to address the deficit which...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (14 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: While road traffic legislation does not provide for a specific requirement in respect of such events, Article 49 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (as amended) state that a person in charge of an animal which is being conducted along or on to a road shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that the animal does not obstruct traffic or pedestrians....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (14 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Public Transport, including rail, will, have to play a significant role in the national mitigation effort and investments being made in public transport and sustainable transport measures in order to promote modal shift will be critical in this regard. As part of Ireland's effort to contain emissions and mitigate climate change, I am dedicated both to increasing the capacity of our public...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (14 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Proposals to deliver an upgraded East-West route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially the route involves upgrade/realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo. As regards the regional road aspect of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (14 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Proposals to deliver an upgraded East-West route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially the route involves upgrade/realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo. As regards the regional road aspect of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Bike Schemes (14 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 to 276, inclusive, together. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycle and public transport infrastructure. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, including the management of public bike schemes. Decisions regarding contracts,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Traffic Management (15 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for the question. He is quite right: there is a congestion problem in Dublin. Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority, NTA, jointly published in 2015 Dublin City Centre Transport Study, which sets out the various measures proposed for Dublin's city centre to ensure the efficient functioning of transport within the city centre. In preparing the 2015...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Traffic Management (15 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Deputy Troy is absolutely right: there have been some teething pains as a result of the introduction of Luas cross city. These are not confined to the areas to which he referred; there have also been problems with people getting onto the trams and there has not been enough capacity. However, this is being well addressed and will, I hope, be resolved in the weeks to come. This involves...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Traffic Management (15 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: That is a fairly extraordinary suggestion. No, there is no concerted plan of any sort that I am aware of to cause such disruption.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Traffic Management (15 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I am not aware of one and I can assure the Deputy that there is not one because I would be aware of a plan to do anything of the sort. The Deputy is right about one or two things, however. The issues were well flagged. There was a mismatch and still is a certain mismatch. A lot of that has to do with the anticipation of what would and will happen when An Bord Pleanála reaches its...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (15 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: This is a subject on which Deputy Munster, like virtually every Deputy, will have received submissions from many of those working in CIÉ who are members of the pension funds involved. She will have the same sort of sympathy that everyone else would have for people in this situation where the pension fund is in deficit. Issues pertaining to CIÉ’s pension scheme are primarily...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (15 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I am not aware of any ministerial directive that they have ignored. I have asked them this question and they have complied with every statutory instrument to which the Deputy refers. It is a tragedy and is very difficult for the members, but it is not unique. The deficit the Deputy talks about is far from unique for people in this situation at the moment. It is a defined benefit scheme. ...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (15 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I repeat that CIÉ has assured me that it has complied with the statutory instruments to which I have referred and I will have to leave it at that. If the Deputy can refer me to a case where a statutory instrument has been defied by CIÉ, I will certainly take action on it because that is important. CIÉ has received all the representations which have been made by Deputies and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Noise Pollution Legislation (15 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I cannot let the Deputy say things like that without any evidence. I have not delayed a decision. There have been delays, but not on my part. I have not procrastinated. If anything, I have put pressure on people to make haste in this. The Deputy is quite correct in saying that delays have happened elsewhere. They certainly have not happened in my Department; in fact, quite the opposite...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Noise Pollution Legislation (15 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy made a lot of statements.