Results 13,581-13,600 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Priority Questions: Road Safety Strategy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I will give the Deputy some figures. I do not dispute much of what she is saying about ten years ago. Neither she nor I was around then, and she cannot really blame me for that.

Priority Questions: Road Safety Strategy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The RSA's road safety strategy lists a target of 990 roads policing gardaí by 2020. I was assured at the ministerial committee a few weeks ago that this will be achieved.

Priority Questions: Road Safety Strategy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I was further advised on 2 May 2018-----

Priority Questions: Road Safety Strategy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: -----that 70 new members were assigned to roads policing by the end of the first quarter of 2018 and an additional 80 new members will be assigned to roads policing by the end of the third quarter of 2018. A competition is to commence later in 2018 to select additional members to be assigned to roads policing in 2019 with the objective of securing an additional 100 members by the end of...

Priority Questions: Road Tolls (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for raising this question and I understand the reasons for what he said. As with many of the parliamentary questions, much of what the Deputies say is true but there are very good reasons for certain things happening. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy on roads. The planning, design and implementation of individual road...

Priority Questions: Road Tolls (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I do not dispute the facts. However, I underline that the primary purpose of this tunnel is to get HGVs to the port and not to encourage commuters to either enter the centre of the city or go anywhere else, particularly at peak times. It would be unacceptable to have congestion in the tunnel at peak times on many fronts and that is the reason for the tolling structure. Of course, it would...

Priority Questions: Road Tolls (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I do not blame commuters for using that tunnel and certainly not for the desire to use it. However, I do not wish them to do it. I remind the Deputy that the purpose of the tunnel is to get HGVs to the port on time, to keep traffic out of the port at peak times and to keep traffic out of the city at those times. This tunnel is of great assistance to trade and traffic control. We must...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy. I know he has been a most vocal and consistent advocate for the problems of Brexit, not only for the roads but also for the entire Border region. I share his concerns regarding the potential adverse effects of Brexit on the sectors he identified. The efficiency of our transport infrastructure is just one element that determines transport costs. Other elements include...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: To make an informed statement or decision on the basis of what the Deputy has spelled out to me requires me to visit the area concerned. This is a matter on which I cannot give any assurance across the floor. If the Deputy so wishes, I will visit the areas some time over the summer. Members opposite sometimes think that politicians on this side of the House are dripping with insincerity in...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: He did look for extra money for all of his colleagues. There is considerable pent up demand for road improvement projects on regional and local roads. One such project, the east-west Dundalk to Sligo link, was referred to by the Deputy. The Department has provided funding this year to allow the appraisal to be updated. The Government is committed to cross-Border roads and development...

Other Questions: Tourism Industry (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Troy for taking this question which asks about the designation of the heart of Ireland tourism area, a mistake I am sure he would not have made if he had drafted the question. As the Deputy may be aware, development of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, including its geographical boundaries, was the responsibility of Fáilte Ireland rather than the...

Other Questions: Tourism Industry (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I am not reluctant to answer any of the Deputy's questions but I thought that, because of the extent of the detail in the survey of 10,000 people, it might be appropriate to get the information from Fáilte Ireland. I can arrange for the Deputy to have a full briefing from them because I know it is close to his heart and to his neighbourhood. I am often asked to micromanage by answering...

Other Questions: Tourism Industry (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy is right about the overseas flights, and about bringing more people in and increasing tourism. The anecdotal evidence I have received in the past couple of days is that the response to the new brand, and the marketing of the new region, is way above and beyond expectations and that is extremely encouraging. An initial €2 million has been allocated for 2018 to start the...

Other Questions: Road Projects (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I am grateful to Deputy Scanlon for raising this matter. The news is encouraging. The maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant road authority under section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the local authority's own resources, supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and...

Other Questions: Road Projects (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: This is a happier story than some of the others we have had today. I am glad to be able to welcome it as well. It is important we take note of not only the views of the local authority and ourselves and our own examination but also the views of the Industrial Development Authority, IDA. The development of this land was regarded as essential to enable the IDA to attract foreign direct...

Other Questions: Road Projects (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the IDA, Sligo County Council and the local representatives. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport provided €11 million and I think the IDA provided €5 million. It is a good combined effort.

Other Questions: Transport Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy will be aware that, like her, I am very conscious of the case for taking steps to regulate the operation of rickshaws or to curtail their activities. She will also be aware that my Department is deeply engaged in working out whether and how the problems that have been identified in connection with rickshaws could be addressed or regulated in a meaningful and legally-robust...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy really does talk in exaggerated, broad-brush-----

Other Questions: Transport Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: She said that she has been calling on me to act for two years. It has certainly not been two years. The amendment to which she refers-----

Other Questions: Transport Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: -----was made in December 2016. That is not two years ago.