Results 2,661-2,680 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Fleet (4 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: The issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Fleet (4 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure including the provision of national bus fleet. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Staff (4 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport but I am not involved in its day-to-day operations. As the Deputy is aware, my Department has allocated €287 million in funding this year towards the delivery of public service obligation (PSO) services, which are overseen by the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Services for People with Disabilities (4 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 303 to 305, inclusive, together. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (4 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of bus stops, bus shelters and bus stations throughout the State.  Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Security (4 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 307 and 308 together. The principal regulation in Europe for setting out the standards for civil aviation security is Regulation (EC) 300/2008, and Ireland is required to adhere to the baseline requirements laid out in this Regulation, including a requirement that: “All persons other than passengers, together with their items carried, shall be screened...

Seanad: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (3 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the House for the opportunity to introduce the Bill. This Bill was brought before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport in October 2018 for pre-legislative scrutiny, where we had a robust and constructive debate. The Bill was published in November 2018 and passed Second Stage in the Dáil in December. It then passed through Committee Stage in the...

Seanad: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (3 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: The issue of a potential conflict of interest has been considered by the Office of the Attorney General. There are no legal grounds for it. The fact that Fingal County Council raises some of its revenue income from commercial rates, and the fact that some of its rates income comes from the DAA, does not represent a conflict of interest in the context of the council being responsible for the...

Seanad: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the House for facilitating us in concluding this Stage of the Bill today and I thank everyone for their contributions. They echo a large number of the problems that were expressed in the Dáil. Everybody is very keen to represent the views of residents, which I greatly appreciate. It is a pity to hear people making accusations against the Minister and saying that I am not...

Seanad: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I will not be subject to criticism unless I have to.

Seanad: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I have to take the advice that Fingal County Council is independent. If people in this House want to say that they know better, they are perfectly entitled to say so.

Seanad: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: If I reject the advice of the Attorney General, however, I am asking for a legal challenge and for a political charge that I am-----

Seanad: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I respect the view of Senator Mullen. He is a lawyer, albeit a very junior one. Indeed, he is somewhat junior to the Attorney General. However, he is perfectly entitled to come into this House and say that he knows better, as is anybody else.

Seanad: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I am not in a position to come to this House and say that I would prefer to take Senator Mullen's advice rather than that of the Attorney General.

Seanad: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Acting Chair. To be clear, once a regulatory decision is made by the noise regulator, that is not the end of the process. Some Senators were under the impression that it was. As mentioned, any regulatory decision is subject to appeal. Apart from that course of action, however, the noise regulator has a strong role to play in the continued monitoring of the noise situation at...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sport Ireland Funding (3 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: In each of the last three years, in line with normal financial procedures and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I approved additional funding for Sport Ireland by way of a transfer of savings which arose in other subheads in my Department's Vote. In addition, in 2018 additional funding was provided to Sport Ireland as...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (3 Apr 2019)

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 planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This includes the various...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (3 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I am keenly aware of the utmost importance of ensuring the safety of small public service vehicle (SPSV) drivers. However, I should explain that matters of a criminal nature, as well as enforcement in relation to those, are for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. As assault is a criminal matter, it can only be investigated by members of An Garda Síochána. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Airports (3 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: The Government’s Tourism Policy Statement “People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025” is centred on Ireland achieving its full potential as a destination for overseas tourism. In 2016, 2017 and 2018 €1m was made available through Tourism Ireland's Regional Co-operative Market Access Scheme for co-operative marketing activity to encourage...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Airports (3 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: The decision to operate a route is an operational matter for the airlines themselves and is generally based on the commercial viability of the routes in question. There is no policy instrument available to the Department to persuade transatlantic carriers to invest in specific routes to specific airports and the Department does not have any input into this decision making process. ...