Results 19,141-19,160 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The RSA has been 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.  A number of services have now reopened on a phased...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 850, 856, 860 and 884 together. As things stand in law, air passenger rights are protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which covers the rights of passenger in instances of cancellations and other scenarios, including long delays. However, if a flight goes ahead and a customer either cancels or does not use their ticket, they are not entitled to a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The aviation industry is one of the most affected by the global pandemic. All airlines have seen severe depletion of revenue and are facing various degrees of financial challenge. My Department continues to engage regularly with airlines, airports, regulators and all relevant stakeholders during the COVID-19 Pandemic with regard to its impact. In order to assist businesses and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (16 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. The RSA has been working, in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The driver theory test was suspended, as were many other services due to the viral outbreak.  Following detailed planning by the RSA, in consultation with my Department, the service has been resumed as of 8 June, with centres opening on a gradual basis.  The resumption is dependent on strict protocols being in place for staff and test candidates in order to comply with public health...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing funding in relation to the national roads programme.  Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (16 Jun 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I have established an Expert Group on Return to Sport, which includes medical expertise, for the purposes of assisting the sporting community in Ireland, in particular the National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs), to make a safe, phased return to sport in accordance with the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.  The sporting bodies have sought from my Department and Sport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Wild Atlantic Way Project (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The development and promotion of the Wild Atlantic Way, including the delivery of related projects such as that to which the Deputy refers, is carried out by Fáilte Ireland.  I have asked Fáilte Ireland to contact the Deputy directly with further information on the current position relating to this specific project and its projected delivery.  Please contact my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 864, 869 and 880 together. The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time and as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis my Department continues to be guided by National Public Health Emergency Team and the relevant national experts in relation to the resumption of services. As the Deputy will be aware, on Monday 8 June 2020, in line...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Organisations (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The specific issue raised by the Deputy has not featured in discussions of the COVID-19 Sports Monitoring Group. The regulation of the insurance industry is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance. Given the importance of physical activity for physical and mental wellbeing, I would however be generally concerned that such obstacles would potentially materialise and I would hope...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The RSA has been 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: Dublin Airport Authority (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I would like to advise the Deputy that the detention and removal of persons refused permission to enter the State are operational matters for the Garda National Immigration Bureau who work closely with civilian immigration officers on these matters.  As the Minister for Justice and Equality is responsible for immigration and border controls at our ports and airports, questions...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The Road Traffic (National Car Test) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 132 of 2020) provides a 4-month extension to NCT test due dates for vehicles with an NCT certificate in force on 28 March 2020 and also to vehicles with a first NCT test due during the period beginning on 28 March 2020 and ending on 31 July 2020. If the vehicle in question had an NCT certificate in force on 28...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy.  While my Department provides capital funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism product development, it is not directly involved in the management of individual tourism projects and has no role in the administration of the agency's grants programmes. With regard...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I would first note that the Deputy appears to make a mistaken assumption regarding the nature and outcome driving tests.  As a rigorous test of competence, intended to protect drivers as well as other road users, nobody can or should expect to demonstrate that competence and so qualify for a full driving licence purely because they have taken a test.  It is therefore...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (16 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works is a matter for decision by the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Funding (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: As you know, EU Tourism Ministers met on 27 April and 20 May by videoconference to discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on tourism. At both those meetings, I urged the European Commission to introduce new, tourism-specific funding supports for member states and to allow maximum flexibility in State Aid rules, to enable the provision of timely and appropriate supports for the sector. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (16 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Thank you for your recent correspondence in relation to the resumption of work by driving schools. As a private company, a driving school must ensure that they can comply with the necessary public health requirements before they can reopen their businesses. The National Return to Work Safely Protocol was developed by NPHET in consultation with national experts. ...