Results 13,621-13,640 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services Provision (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy appears to be raising two separate issues here as the DART does not currently run through the Phoenix Park Tunnel. Since its reopening in November 2016, the Phoenix Park Tunnel has seen commuters on the Kildare to Dublin Heuston line benefit from having the option of direct trains to city centre stations such as Connolly, Tara, Pearse and Docklands. I am advised by...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities. The current funding arrangements in relation to the A5 are governed by the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start. This Agreement reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and committed an...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Regulations (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: Since the Government decision in January this year to designate Fingal County Council as the Competent Authority for EU Regulation 598/2014, officials from my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government have been working on Draft Heads of a Bill. That work, I am advised, has been very detailed and technical in nature. It is primarily focusing on the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Provision (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including light rail and cycling.   Recently the NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) launched a public consultation on the details in relation to the "Emerging Preferred Route" for the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, as I had previously promised, on 21 May I hosted a round-table discussion on public transport policy, in the context of a wider work programme in my Department - on foot of a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government - to review public transport policy to ensure services are sustainable into the future and are meeting the needs...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network Expansion (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 116 together. The National Development Plan (NDP) notes the funding priority for the inter-urban rail network is to protect the investment already made in the national rail network, including the Wexford line, by funding projects needed to maintain safety and service levels in railway operations. The NDP also confirms a number of key investment...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 95 together. The issues raised are a matter for The National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Bus Éireann, and I have forwarded the Deputies questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Programme (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The priority legislation for my Department during the remainder of the current Dáil session is the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017. The Deputy may be aware that this is currently at the Report and Final Stages in the Dáil and will be referred to the Seanad afterwards. In advance of the autumn/winter legislative session, the necessary preparatory work continues within my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Licences (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy will be aware, 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. Section 15 of this Act provides that an SPSV licence may continue to be operated by a person who was nominated by the licence holder in advance of his or her death.  This is a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network Expansion (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: One of the features of Dublin's future transport infrastructure that is proposed in the National Transport Authority's (NTA) 'Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035' is implementation of the full DART Expansion Programme.  The DART Expansion Programme comprises several elements including: extensively extending electrification of the rail network around the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenways Development (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I aware of a mooted proposal with regard to the concept of a Shannon Greenway but no submission has been made to my Department.  I understand that this proposal is still very much in its infancy and that it's development would require collaboration with the relevant local authorities as well as Waterways Ireland and the Office of Public Works, in terms of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 it is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to determine the appropriate mix of directly awarded and competitively tendered Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus services.  In this, it is subject to both national and EU legislation. It is incorrect to describe competitive tendering as privatisation as nothing is being...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Fares (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I understand that free public transport is available in some European cities and towns to encourage increased use of public transport, reduce congestion, attract people into cities for leisure purposes and for environmental reasons among others.   In Ireland this year, the Exchequer will provide almost €300m as subvention for public transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenways Development (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 91 together. The Greenways Strategy will provide a framework for the development of Ireland's greenways and will determine the type of project to be funded by my Department over the coming decade. This is a long term Strategy with the aim of increasing the number, length and regional spread of greenways across the country. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Anti-Social Behaviour (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The safety and security of passengers and staff including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour on the Luas is a matter for the transport operator (Transdev) in conjunction with, as appropriate, An Garda Síochána. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), who have contracted Transdev to operate Luas, for direct reply. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Expenditure (12 Jun 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. In relation to the national element as...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Military Aircraft Landings (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The position remains as outlined in my response to the Deputy's questions on 24 April 2018 [17725/18]. My Department is continuing to progress the review with a view to it being concluded shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: In relation to funding, I have no doubt the Deputy welcomes the increases I have secured over the 2018 to 2021 period. The next four years will see over €110million allocated to develop cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. In addition, I have also secured funding of €135million over the same period for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Merger (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company (DLHC) is designated under National Ports Policy 2013 to transfer to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCoCo) and the process is still ongoing. The Chief Executive of DLRCoCo undertook due diligence of the port company in preparation for transfer and presented her report to the Council on 9 January 2017.  As the report raised a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Insurance Data (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: Both databases referred to come under the remit of Insurance Ireland and all access to these databases is a matter for Insurance Ireland. Section 5(1) of the Road Traffic Act 2014 enables the supply of data by my Department's National Vehicle and Driver (NVDF) to the insurance industry. Access is available to all vehicle insurers operating in the state who are registered with the Central...