Results 18,841-18,860 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has made allowances for professional drivers with driver CPC cards that have expired, or that are due to expire, and who are prevented from completing training due to the current Covid 19 outbreak. Drivers who hold a CPC card due to expire (or expired on or after the 26 March 2020) have been granted an extension of a maximum of six months up to the 26th...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The School Transport Scheme comes under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills. Bus services outside that scheme are part of the overall public transport sector. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is working with public transport operators (both public and private) who are implementing public health advice in relation to issues such as cleaning regimes and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licence Applications (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: Online applications for a learners permit can only be accepted with a Public Services card. As the Deputy will appreciate, a driving licence or learners permit is an important legal document, and before it can be issued, the identify of the applicant must be established beyond doubt. For that reason, an individual who does not have a PSC must present to the NDLS offices with a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I understand the very difficult business environment that small public service vehicle (SPSV) operators are now dealing with. Indeed, across Government we are acutely aware that the COVID-19 situation presents huge challenges for very many business sectors. That is why we have worked to introduce a wide programme of Government supports for impacted businesses. The range of supports...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: It must be understood that a learner permit is not a licence, but a permit to allow a person to drive while learning. The purpose of the driving test is to set out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that a learner must demonstrate in order to become a fully licensed driver. Until a learner can meet this standard and pass this test, they are not safe to take to our roads...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The RSA is currently working, in consultation with my Department, on plans for the resumption of the range of services and functions for which it is responsible, following the publication of the Government roadmap and, more recently, the National Return to Work Safety Protocol as agreed by employer and trade union representatives. The resumption of driver testing raises particular...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Maritime Safety (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The statutory requirements for the safety and pollution prevention measures for ships, including oil tankers, are set out in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Conventions which include the SOLAS and MARPOL Conventions. Primary responsibility for compliance with international convention requirements rests with the ship owner and the Flag State Administration of the ship concerned....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: It is a matter for the individual concerned to make their own travel arrangements within the law. The Deputy will be aware that Templemore, the location of the Garda Training College, is served by a range of public transport services, including mainline rail services. I am sure the College can advise those attending of the details of those options and should be directly contacted for such...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and has designated it amongst the essential services that have carried on during the Covid-19 emergency. I would like to thank the operators and their staff in continuing this essential service. Throughout, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the public transport operators have been...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Consumer Rights (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: Consumer protections for airline passengers and for holiday-makers who book trips through travel agents and tour operators are enshrined in EU law. EU Regulation 261/2004 requires airlines to provide a full cash refund within 7 days in the event that a flight is cancelled by the airline; and EU Directive 2302/2015 on Package Travel requires travel agents and tour operators to provide a full...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to address the House on the aviation sector. While there are a number of structures through which my Department engages with industry stakeholders on a collective basis, I am acutely conscious that today's unprecedented challenges require that all options be considered and that we be open to novel approaches. For that reason, I am proposing to...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I do not think there were any sinister reasons for that. I think there were different opinions about that. The advice was taken. It was the subject of some debate, but certainly there was never any intention, that I know of, to ignore it. My impression was that it was always going to actually come into existence, but the implementation of it took a certain amount of time for technical...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I cannot, obviously. I would love to be able to do that. I cannot even give the actual date when it will be implemented at this stage. However, it is the intention to implement it. The only thing that could delay its implementation would be legal difficulties because obviously there are some legal and constitutional issues here. My guess is that it will continue for as long as the public...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The intention is to do that.

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I will not insist because I cannot, obviously, but I can make some make recommendations about that to the Cabinet. I think that issue is being addressed. At the moment it is not mandatory but voluntary. If NPHET suggests that change, I have no doubt I will accept its recommendation, but it is a matter for it. If it is a public health issue and if it will save lives, I will certainly...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. Some of their questions will be very ably and appropriately addressed by the task force. That is one of the reasons it has been set up. It will voice the views of some of those whose voices are very often not heard as loudly as those of others. I take the Deputies' point on union involvement. It is a very appropriate suggestion because the...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I have not met her since the crisis began, but I am happy to so do. I have met her previously.

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: With regard to the question on bicycles, I thank the Deputy for her contribution. Although it is not up to me, I will convey her wishes to the Minister for Finance. On the second question, there is a certain misunderstanding about that scheme. It was introduced for two reasons. We must remember there is a guarantee of the money to the people who have actually had the cancellation. The...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I am not going to give the Deputy a pledge about going to Aer Lingus as I cannot do that. What I will do is address the matter with it and see what its interpretation of the situation is, and then take it from there. The second question was about the task force for Shannon Airport. I think we can probably give the Deputy that promise.

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I will communicate with the Deputy about that.