Results 14,841-14,860 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Data (4 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: 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. In order to support an increase in the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) in Ireland's SPSV fleet, licences for new taxis or hackneys will only be granted in respect of WAVs. This requirement was...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (4 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: 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. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. I ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Noise Pollution (4 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: Directive 2002/49/EC on the assessment and management of environmental noise was transposed into Irish law by the Environmental Noise Regulations, 2006. This legislation requires Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and local authorities to undertake strategic noise mapping every five years for all major roads carrying in excess of 8,250 annual average daily traffic (AADT). Once...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (4 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: The establishment of air transport connections are the result of commercial agreements between airlines and airports. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have no function in these commercial decisions. However, there are on-going consultations between my Department, other Government Departments and agencies, and public and private aviation stakeholders in order to continue to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Policy (4 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy, while the tourism agencies have operational responsibility for the implementation of this policy. Although my Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism, it has no role in the administration of the agency's funding programme. I know that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (4 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to advise my private office if she does not receive a response within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network Expansion (4 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the upgrade and electrification of lines under the DART Expansion Programme. Noting the NTA's responsibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Noise Pollution (4 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: Since 2015 the Dublin Authorities are self funding in respect of the main grant programmes for regional and local roads including the provision of monies for the Discretionary Grant programme under which noise reduction measures may be implemented. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Light Rail Projects (4 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 599 together. 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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including MetroLink. Noting the NTA's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenways Development (4 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: Fencing along Greenways is a matter for the relevant Local Authority/State Agency that constructed it. Where required, fences would be installed by these Local Authorities and State Agencies. As outlined in the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways, early consultation with landowners on all aspects of Greenway construction is actively encouraged. I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences Data (4 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: The matter of the misalignment between the Court Service data and that held by my Department and the Road Safety Authority may simply be how the data is interpreted, for example, there is a time lag between when a person is disqualified in Court and a formal notification is received by my Department arising from such a disqualification. In order to bring clarity to the issue I have asked...

Seanad: Annual National Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (4 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: As we have already heard this afternoon, Ireland faces an enormous challenge in its transition to a low-carbon society. It is a challenge which must be met by all sectors in Government in a collective effort if we are to begin to achieve our long-term climate goals. I understand the significant role the transport sector plays in this effort, and we are delivering a range of measures to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Data (5 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: There is currently one member of staff from my Department who is working in the EU Commission as a Seconded National Expert (SNE). SNEs are national or international civil servants who are working temporarily for the Commission. SNEs have a dual role: to bring to the Commission their experience of the issues they are used to dealing with where they normally work and to take back to their...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (5 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (5 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: The Irish Coast Guard, a division of my Department, in consultation with the CSSO reviewedthe draft lease of the property proposed by Mr Curtin. The IRCG having reviewed the matter made the decision not to pursue the lease. The CSSO advised Mr Curtins solicitors on the 17th July, 2018 and the file was closed. The Department is not liable for costs expended on a draft lease.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (5 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: My Department and its agencies are actively engaged in the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy; indeed an increase in energy efficiency of 12.3% was recorded for my Department to the end of 2017. To achieve this energy saving a number of efficiency measures have been implemented including: consolidating from three buildings to one thus reducing maintenance energy costs; hosting of an...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Supplementary) (5 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Chairman and I apologise for being late. I hit an unavoidable problem on the way in which was none of my own making. I thank the Chairman and committee for the opportunity to present details of this Supplementary Estimate for my Department. As the members will be aware from the advance brief circulated, there are two elements to the Supplementary Estimate. I refer to a sum of...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Supplementary) (5 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: To answer Deputy Troy's question, this is spread over all airports. I will address the question raised by Deputy Munster as well. There was not a gap. This is additional money, which came through mid-year. The figure is approximately €1.5 million for aviation. It came from the IAA dividend. In a sense, it was a windfall. We decided to distribute it accordingly. Committee...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Supplementary) (5 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: Yes, it supplementary. It is additional.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Supplementary) (5 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: No, it is money that came in. I will explain the dividend in case anyone does not understand it. The issue arose when I was speaking to the Minister for Finance during budget negotiations. He and I agreed that if I could negotiate a special divided from the IAA, it would be welcome because it would be additional money and the authority was getting a dividend. When we agreed on that, I...