Results 18,041-18,060 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: My Department has spent €1,310.47 to date this year in respect of bottled water. There has been no expenditure on disposable coffee cups in 2019 by my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Freedom of Information Data (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: In accordance with Section 8 (1) of the FOI Act 2014 the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport published its first publication scheme on 14th April 2016. The scheme was drawn up in line with the model scheme produced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in late 2015. The Department’s publication scheme has was reviewed in late 2018/early 2019 and a revised...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: Financial information in respect of my Department is published on the Gov.ie website at the following link: The information requested by the Deputy for the years 2016 to 2018 is available at this link: The information for 2019 is being compiled at present and will be available in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: The following funding figures are inclusive of both capital and current allocations. The majority of Current spend is on the IRCG Helicopter contract. The bulk of capital expenditure relates to programme spend by the Irish Coast Guard, including provision for a building programme, IT upgrades, vehicle and boat fleet renewal, pollution equipment and maintenance of telecommunications...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority Reports (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: The report to which the Deputy refers is available on the Road Safety Authority's website. It can be found at . I would particularly draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that there has been a slight decline in speeding on urban roads and a similar increase on rural roads. There have also been increases in the proportion of drivers speeding on roads with an 80km/h and 100km/h limit. ...

Seanad: Transport and Sport: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I am happy to be back here in the Seanad. Statements like this are not just an opportunity to update the House on these particular topics, but, more important, to also offer an opportunity to hear the perspective of Senators on these issues. I look forward to our discussion on what are two different but hugely important issues. I will start with the issue of rail in the greater Dublin...

Seanad: Transport and Sport: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank every Senator who contributed to this very wide debate. I think there was a misunderstanding somewhere in communication between here and my office. I do not think it was the fault of my office but I do not want to attribute blame in any way. The understanding was quite clear from my office that the discussion was about rail transport in Dublin but somewhere in the meantime Senators...

Seanad: Transport and Sport: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I will in a general way try to answer the broader questions that people have asked, which is fair enough and that was the purpose of this debate, specifically on the sports capital which is so topical. I will start with Senator Mark Daly, on the refurbishment of old carriages, which I mentioned in my opening statement. The NTA and Iarnród Éireann did consider that option but the...

Seanad: Transport and Sport: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: Maybe the Senator thinks that but I think I should.

Seanad: Transport and Sport: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: The Senator has expressed his view. I am expressing mine.

Seanad: Transport and Sport: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I think it is absolutely wrong that politicians should be claiming, as Senator Boyhan said, that they have delivered something that they have not.

Seanad: Transport and Sport: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: That does happen, let us be honest about it but I think it is a very good thing that they have not, whether they claim it or not is up to themselves. If they are claiming something they have not done, at least we know they have not done it and people in this House know they have not done it.

Seanad: Transport and Sport: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: If they go off and claim they have done it, that sort of thing does happen in politics-----

Seanad: Transport and Sport: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: Up to the 2017 round, the process has always been that politicians lobbied and some of them, it appears, lobbied successfully. There is no doubt whatsoever, being realistic, that politicians from all groups lobbied in this particular round as well. I can assure them, however, that they did not have any influence on the points awarded to the clubs in question.

Seanad: Transport and Sport: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: That is the reality. We will continue to get lobbies and people sending emails asking us to consider this or that club but the points system will not succumb to that sort of pressure. Senator Boyhan asked me about Glenalbyn pool. It is local authority funded. It may well have applied for the larger fund that is coming through but I do not think the Senator is suggesting that I should do...

Seanad: Transport and Sport: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: He is just asking as a fact, he would undoubtedly discourage me from doing that because he thinks I should be independent.

Seanad: Transport and Sport: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I am not quite sure which way to answer his question because I am not sure what he wants. Senator Boyhan can tell me what answer he wants and I will answer the opposite way. I have only one minute. I want to make sure that the questions are answered and we will follow some of them up individually if that is all right. Some are very detailed and really not appropriate for this afternoon. ...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Roads Maintenance Funding (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for the question. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each local authority under the Roads Act 1993, as amended, with works funded by local authorities’ own resources supplemented by State road grants. The current arrangements in place regarding retention of local property tax receipts mean that the four Dublin...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Roads Maintenance Funding (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I thought I had specified a fair amount of this already to the Deputy. I will continue. Limited funding is also being made available for road improvement schemes. The national development plan provides specifically for the implementation of 12 road improvement schemes over the next number of years, subject to necessary planning and business case approvals. I am pleased to note that to...