Results 14,201-14,220 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Services Provision (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: As I mentioned in my response to Deputy Troy, the DART expansion programme is a key feature of Dublin's future transport infrastructure that is proposed in the NTA's transport strategy for the greater Dublin area for 2016 to 2035. The DART expansion programme is a series of projects that will create a full metropolitan area DART network for Dublin with all the lines linked and connected....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Services Provision (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: I am glad that the Deputy acknowledges that I am not expected to micromanage every railway route in the country, which is something I cannot do. I think it is the first such acknowledgement I have had in this House from anybody. What I can do, and I obviously do, is monitor new projects of this sort very closely when they are introduced to see if they are successful, and to see if...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Services Provision (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: I told the Deputy the answer to his question, but maybe he was not happy with the answers. The procurement process for additional DART fleet is expected to commence this year, with the contract for approximately 300 new rail carriages expected to be awarded in the second half of 2019. Some 28 refurbished carriages are to re-enter service in 2019, and this will add capacity to a number of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Services Provision (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: Iarnród Eireann and the NTA are assessing the availability of additional fleet that could be introduced to passenger services on the rail network across Ireland in the short term. That is a considerable commitment to provide new carriages in the coming years, which I hope will satisfy the Deputy. Deputy Clare Daly mentioned the number of new houses being built in Portmarnock. She is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: Last month the National Transport Authority, NTA, published the Dublin area bus network redesign public consultation report. The report notes that the existing bus network in Dublin and the main towns in north County Kildare is very complex and that it has been designed primarily around overlapping and long radial routes from the city's suburbs taking people into the city centre but with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: I can understand the Deputy is concerned. There are always significant concerns when something as major as this happens, particularly among those who have travelled on the same bus route at the same time for many years, particularly senior citizens, who find the changes difficult to cope with. However, the changes are necessary and people will come to accept them because they will get them...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: I sympathise with the Deputy in what he is saying. Some of the changes, as portrayed, will not be suitable. Every Deputy should take seriously the point that there has been widespread consultation. A large number of meetings have been held throughout the Dublin region to accommodate people who have difficulties. Some of the concerns being expressed are totally justified and some will be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Regulations (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: I note and welcome the Deputy's consistent interest in this issue. As she is aware, the Government has agreed to my proposal to pursue an accelerated process in support of draft legislation to give effect to EU Regulation No. 598/14. Before the summer recess, I presented an outline of the proposed legislative approach and a detailed timeline for its implementation to the Oireachtas Joint...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Regulations (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: I am not saying they are the equivalent of Fingal County Council. On the Deputy's question regarding what actions are being taken by Fingal County Council, it is preparing for this appointment. It is the competent authority-designate in anticipation of Members of this House approving the appointment. This House is sovereign and, if it does not approve it, we will have to return to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Regulations (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: We are making preparations for this because it is urgent. This has to be done as soon as possible. As the Deputy will be well aware, earlier in this story there were delays which were unexpected, mostly in the Attorney General's office, which meant that we unexpectedly had to make decisions we did not anticipate would have to be made. We are now on target.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Regulations (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: Fingal County Council is the competent authority-designate. If the House decides differently, that is a matter for the House.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Regulations (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: As I explained to the joint committee in July, Fingal County Council has responsibilities under an EU environmental noise directive-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Regulations (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: -----which encapsulates responsibilities relating to noise caused by conurbations and major transport infrastructures, including roads, railways and airports. In addition, having regard to its planning functions, it has considerable experience and expertise in the conduct of environmental impact assessments, EIAs, and in managing extensive public consultations. There are, therefore,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Signage (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Butler for her question. As stated in response to questions from other Deputies, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in for the national roads programme but I will be as helpful as I can within that context. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Signage (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy becomes more convincing the more I listen to her. Her point is a good one. The matter she is raising is one of road safety, which I had not understood from the question. If the Deputy wishes to make representations on this matter, it would be best that she do so to Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, to seek its response. It has a particular interest in this and has funding...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Signage (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: I cannot get involved in this directly, however the Deputy has made a very good case for this and I suggest that she provides a full record of what has happened on that road, particularly accidents, to make a convincing case and I will refer it to the TII. Road safety must be the top priority. TII spending on black spots is one of the ingredients in the road safety war. I will recommend...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Policy (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 35 together. The Deputy will be aware that Rosslare Europort is unique among the State-owned ports, as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts, but is instead operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann. Technically, the port forms part of the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours Company, which is a 19thcentury...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Policy (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: Both Deputies are correct. It is a crucial time. It coming near a time not for a decision about its structure - we have examined that - but when Rosslare will be critical. The Deputies will be aware of the significance of Brexit and the importance that Rosslare may assume in the process of preparing for it. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Taoiseach have informed the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: I do not think so.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Light Rail Projects (19 Sep 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to address this matter in the House. As he is aware, the recently published national development plan which was launched earlier this year by the Government as part of Project Ireland 2040 brings together the metro north and metro south projects, as envisaged by the NTA’s greater Dublin strategy, in one project called MetroLink. The...