Results 18,901-18,920 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and for the overall funding of sustainable mobility.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility in the Greater Dublin Area for the planning and development of sustainable mobility infrastructure, including cycling infrastructure.  Noting the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Services (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The total allocation to Local Link in 2020 is €23.4 million, and percentage amounts can be calculated from this base.  Future funding levels for the programme will be subject to the annual Estimate and Budgetary processes.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including suitability tests for SPSVs, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. Given the role of the NTA as regulator I have forwarded your correspondence to the Authority for consideration and direct reply as appropriate.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Since the beginning of the Covid-19 health emergency, the Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important and designated public transport as an “essential service” during the Covid-19 emergency, recognising the importance of keeping the system running especially for carrying essential workers and other passengers making necessary...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Since the beginning of the Covid-19 health emergency, the Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important and designated public transport as an “essential service” during the Covid-19 emergency, recognising the importance of keeping the system running especially for carrying essential workers and other passengers making necessary...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Firstly I would like to advise that officials in my Department have commenced engagement with the Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland and will continue to do so on a regular basis. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 health emergency, the Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important and designated...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Policy (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The Tourism Recovery Taskforce was established by Minister of State Brendan Griffin and I on 20 May 2020. The purpose of the Taskforce is to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan for submission to the Ministers which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The plan will...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Policy (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The Tourism Recovery Taskforce was established by Minister of State Brendan Griffin and I on 20 May 2020. The purpose of the Taskforce is to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan for submission to the Ministers which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The plan will...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (3 Jun 2020)

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.  As previously indicated the extent of the cutbacks in grant funding during the post...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The law is clear in circumstances where an airline cancels a flight - for whatever reason - that all passengers booked on that flight who seek it are entitled to a full cash refund within 7 days.  That provision is set out in EU Regulation 261 (2004).   However, notwithstanding the constraints arising from the COVID pandemic, a small number of flights are continuing to be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including the administration of the wheelchair accessible vehicle grant scheme, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.   Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Due to the closure of services provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, I took measures to extend the validity of number of documents, including the learner permit.  Any learner permits which were due to expire from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 inclusive have had their period of validity extended by 4 months. If it is the case that the NDLS...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I am disappointed that my observations would be taken as implying that the driving test would not resume in the present year. I have referred to the obvious difficulties of holding a driving test while ensuring the health and safety of testers and test candidates, and explained that it is likely that the driving test will not resume until phase 5 of the Government's Roadmap for reopening the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, Project Ireland 2040 committed to conducting an independent review toward evaluating a possible extension of the existing Western Rail Corridor northwards to Tuam (Phase 2) and/or Claremorris (Phase 3). Project Ireland 2040 also states that if Government accepts a proposal to extend the route then that extension will be prioritised over the lifetime of the National...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Jun 2020)

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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the Luas operator Transdev and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Jun 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 licenced 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: Road Projects (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the above position, I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (3 Jun 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 licenced 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: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The Government’s overarching, cross-sectoral approach to the COVID-19 pandemic is to ensure that economic activity recovers as quickly as possible, consistent with public health advice. Measures introduced by the Government to date, which have benefitted sports and community clubs as well as their national governing bodies, include: the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 887, 904, 925 and 972 together. The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including theregulatory response to the present COVID-19 pandemic, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.   The NTA has extended licences expiring before 12 June 2020 by three...