Results 2,681-2,700 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Phoenix Park (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: Hear, hear.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Funding (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I accept and thank the Deputy for his invitation. I recognise the success of Shannon Heritage in everything it has done to attract tourism to the area mentioned by the Deputy. I would hate the message to go out from this debate that something is wrong or something is afoot. I am sure the Deputy is right when he says that there is a great deal of potential to bring more people to the area...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Funding (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Harty for raising this important matter. I understood Shannon Heritage was flourishing and I believe it is flourishing. From what Deputy Harty is saying, I understand it needs more support, not only to be the custodian of the portfolio he has so eloquently described but also to develop and encourage more tourism and ensure greater numbers of tourists. In line with its...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Transport Services Provision (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I commend Deputy Heydon on being the prime mover in respect of this scheme, which has been very successful. I will communicate a full reply to him and I am sorry we do not have time for it now. I thank him for promoting this scheme. We are enthusiastic about it and determined that it should continue.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann Services (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: As the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in respect of public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The House will understand that the operation of Bus Éireann services is a matter for the company, with oversight by the National Transport Authority, NTA. The NTA has entered into a...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann Services (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: The Deputy is right, in that I have overall responsibility for policy in the transport area. One of the principal pillars of that policy is to get people out of their cars and onto buses. The Deputy and I are working in the same direction, as we want to improve the frequency and efficiency of bus services on route 233. I will improve services anywhere I feel it is advantageous in the sense...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann Services (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I have made it clear that the Deputy is pushing his luck a little. I do not blame him because that is what Deputies do. I am in charge of policy but I do not intervene and tell bus companies to move a certain bus or improve frequencies on certain routes. The Deputy would not expect me to do that. I will ensure, as I would in the context of any other case made in the House, that the NTA is...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Railway Stations (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank both Deputies for their contributions on what is obviously a hot local issue which those in the area will be extremely keen to see promoted. In response to Deputy Burke's request, I am happy to receive a delegation and to look at this issue with it if the Deputy thinks that would be worthwhile. As Deputy Troy stated, such a meeting would be open to all parties and all groups of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Railway Stations (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for his question and his interest in this issue. As he is aware the maintenance, renewal and operation of the rail network is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I understand local residents have recently met with Iarnród Éireann to discuss the issue in detail. Project Ireland 2040 states the priority funding objective regarding mainline rail is the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Railway Stations (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I am aware there has been much local activity in Deputy Burke's area. Information from www.delvinvillage.com, a community website, indicates locals have maintained a long-standing campaign to reopen Killucan rail station. The group is Killucan Station Action Group, KSAG. In February 2019, some 50 people attended a meeting in a local pub under the banner of KSAG. I gather it was agreed at...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Accident Investigations (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: The Deputy's questions merit answers. I will answer the question about what my Department is doing on foot of safety recommendations issued in the interim report, which I think is what the Deputy is addressing. The safety recommendation was that I "carry out a thorough review of SAR aviation operations in Ireland to ensure that there are appropriate processes, resources and personnel in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Accident Investigations (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for her advice on meeting IALPA. I will consider that in view of what she has said. In response to the Deputy's question about the Irish Aviation Authority, recommendation No. 12 in the AQE report was to ensure that the IAA is involved directly by the Irish Coast Guard in the aviation regulatory aspect of the contract with the operator to ensure consistency in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Light Rail Projects (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: All the routes suggested by the Deputy are worthy of debate. Any suggestions he makes are very worthy of debate in this House and they will go into the mix when the review commences. When it concludes, it can review the general transport strategy in a way the Deputy approved of thoroughly in the past. That is the system and process it will go through. In the meantime, the Deputy's...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Light Rail Projects (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: Sometimes I find that what the Deputy has to say can be quite confusing. I assume he has now dropped that south western project he had in mind. I notice that he has abandoned it. That is all right then. I see nothing wrong with him dropping one project one week and taking up another project another week. It is somewhat volatile but he is entitled to be volatile in this business and to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Accident Investigations (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: We all sadly recall the tragic loss of Rescue 116 in the early hours of 14 March 2017 at Blackrock, County Mayo. First of all, I again wish to avail of this opportunity in the House to offer my sincere condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of the four crew members who lost their lives - Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, Captain Mark Duffy, Winch Operator Paul Ormsby and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Transport Services (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for his intervention. As a human being, I am absolutely sympathetic with what he says and as a representative I can understand his point of view. If he says quality has suffered, particularly with respect to accessibility with some of the buses, I regret that on a personal level. My understanding is this process is carried out by the NTA under European Union rules. As...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Transport Services (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: My understanding is the impact of the procurement process is not necessarily what the Deputy has said it is, although I do not doubt for a moment his bona fides. My understanding is that as a result of the procurement process, there is no change in the transport services, although there is a change in the management of services at a local level. The procurement service allows TCUs to plan...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Light Rail Projects (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for his question. The Deputy is aware of the current status of the MetroLink project both from my earlier answer and the briefing session the National Transport Authority arranged for Members last week. The Taoiseach was correct in that the project has a great deal of appeal and all projects should be considered if they appear sensible on the surface, although they must...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Light Rail Projects Status (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority, NTA, published the MetroLink preferred route for public consultation on Tuesday, 26 March. This reflects the NTA's and Transport Infrastructure Ireland's consideration of issues raised in the consultation period held last year on what was known as the "Emerging Preferred Route". The Deputy has welcomed the publication of the new...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Light Rail Projects Status (2 Apr 2019)

Shane Ross: Maybe I could give the Deputy a timeline. First, this current consultation phase will run until the end of May. The NTA and TII will then work on finalising a business case for submission to the Government. The Government must then approve the business case before it can progress to planning. The NTA then expects a railway order application by the second quarter of 2020. A statutory...