Results 16,401-16,420 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Accident Investigations (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for her advice on meeting IALPA. I will consider that in view of what she has said. In response to the Deputy's question about the Irish Aviation Authority, recommendation No. 12 in the AQE report was to ensure that the IAA is involved directly by the Irish Coast Guard in the aviation regulatory aspect of the contract with the operator to ensure consistency in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Railway Stations (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for his question and his interest in this issue. As he is aware the maintenance, renewal and operation of the rail network is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I understand local residents have recently met with Iarnród Éireann to discuss the issue in detail. Project Ireland 2040 states the priority funding objective regarding mainline rail is the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Railway Stations (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I am aware there has been much local activity in Deputy Burke's area. Information from www.delvinvillage.com, a community website, indicates locals have maintained a long-standing campaign to reopen Killucan rail station. The group is Killucan Station Action Group, KSAG. In February 2019, some 50 people attended a meeting in a local pub under the banner of KSAG. I gather it was agreed at...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Railway Stations (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank both Deputies for their contributions on what is obviously a hot local issue which those in the area will be extremely keen to see promoted. In response to Deputy Burke's request, I am happy to receive a delegation and to look at this issue with it if the Deputy thinks that would be worthwhile. As Deputy Troy stated, such a meeting would be open to all parties and all groups of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann Services (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: As the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in respect of public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The House will understand that the operation of Bus Éireann services is a matter for the company, with oversight by the National Transport Authority, NTA. The NTA has entered into a...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann Services (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: The Deputy is right, in that I have overall responsibility for policy in the transport area. One of the principal pillars of that policy is to get people out of their cars and onto buses. The Deputy and I are working in the same direction, as we want to improve the frequency and efficiency of bus services on route 233. I will improve services anywhere I feel it is advantageous in the sense...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann Services (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I have made it clear that the Deputy is pushing his luck a little. I do not blame him because that is what Deputies do. I am in charge of policy but I do not intervene and tell bus companies to move a certain bus or improve frequencies on certain routes. The Deputy would not expect me to do that. I will ensure, as I would in the context of any other case made in the House, that the NTA is...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Transport Services Provision (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I commend Deputy Heydon on being the prime mover in respect of this scheme, which has been very successful. I will communicate a full reply to him and I am sorry we do not have time for it now. I thank him for promoting this scheme. We are enthusiastic about it and determined that it should continue.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Funding (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Harty for raising this important matter. I understood Shannon Heritage was flourishing and I believe it is flourishing. From what Deputy Harty is saying, I understand it needs more support, not only to be the custodian of the portfolio he has so eloquently described but also to develop and encourage more tourism and ensure greater numbers of tourists. In line with its...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Funding (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I accept and thank the Deputy for his invitation. I recognise the success of Shannon Heritage in everything it has done to attract tourism to the area mentioned by the Deputy. I would hate the message to go out from this debate that something is wrong or something is afoot. I am sure the Deputy is right when he says that there is a great deal of potential to bring more people to the area...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Phoenix Park (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: Hear, hear.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Trans European Transport Network Programme (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: The TEN-T Core Network is a subset of the Comprehensive Network and represents the strategically most important nodes and links of the trans-European transport networks. The Core TEN-T network on the Island of Ireland links the main urban centres of Belfast-Dublin and Cork and encompasses the road, rail and other transport modes on this route. There is also an...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Bike Schemes (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I have no doubt that the Deputy welcomes the fact we have public bike schemes in most of our major cities, including Galway. These schemes have an important role to play in fostering a cycling culture and providing an alternative, sustainable transport option within the cities. I can also inform the House that there are advanced plans to extend the scheme to Waterford, and I understand the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Safety (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 20 and 35 together. Public confidence in the safety of air travel underpins all other Government objectives in the aviation sector. Maintaining the highest standards of safety in Irish aviation is a priority for the Government. As the Deputy is aware, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has statutory responsibility for regulating and enforcing...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Fares (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares.  Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA is the statutory body with responsibility for the regulation of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Airports (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 24 together. The carriage of munitions of war on board civil aircraft in Irish sovereign territory and on Irish registered civil aircraft, wherever they may be, is governed by the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders, 1973 and 1989 ("the Orders"). When considering an application for an exemption for the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network Expansion (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for her question and her interest in this issue. As she is aware the maintenance, renewal and operation of the rail network is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I understand that you have raised this matter directly with the company in recent months. Project Ireland 2040 states that the priority funding objective in relation to mainline rail is the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: Last year I asked Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to manage the development of the Dublin-Galway greenway project.  Since then my officials have been involved in a number of discussions with TII to progress a range of matters in relation to the project. In particular, they have discussed the construction of an underpass under the railway line in Athlone this...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: The Deputy is aware that it is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to develop public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area, including in relation to the Northern Line commuter line, and it is the NTA, in co-operation with Iarnród Éireann, who are developing plans as referred to by the Deputy. The need for additional...