Results 3,401-3,420 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Services (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 660 and 663 together. Project Ireland 2040states that the priority funding objective in relation to mainline rail is the maintenance and renewal of the existing network so that it continues to provide a safe and reliable infrastructure that enables the provision of quality rail services for passengers across the country. This means ensuring steady state...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Services (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: That is our target and the basic aim of the commitments we have made for the expansion of both Luas and DART services. The increased use of the Phoenix Park tunnel for Kildare line services must be dear to Deputy Durkan's heart and we will certainly pursue that further in the years to come. We will try to meet the requirement to reduce congestion, to which many Deputies have referred this...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Security (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: The Deputy seems to be under the impression that airport police and Revenue officials are being treated differently from members of the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces - that they are being excluded from the security clearance that it is available. I reassure her that this is not the case. Airport police and Revenue officials are fully background checked in accordance with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Security (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: I am afraid I am obliged and inclined to accept the advice of the IAA and the NCASC on matters of security. That is the position I must take. Rather than taking the Deputy's advice, I must take theirs.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Dublin Bus Fleet (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: The Deputy is aware that Project Ireland 2040 commits to ending the purchase of diesel-only buses from July 2019 for all our urban bus fleets. This is an important commitment and one which we all are looking forward to commencing as part of this year’s PSO bus purchase programme by the NTA. Of course we all know that this move alone it is not enough and that we need a fundamental...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Dublin Bus Fleet (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: I thought the Deputy would take exactly the opposite view. I thought he would find it really welcome that bus trials are ongoing and that we are moving to the era of diesel-electric vehicles. The NTA is beginning a tender process for the purchase of diesel-electric hybrid buses. I thought the Deputy would welcome this. Double-deck buses have an optimal life of about 12 years and the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Dublin Bus Fleet (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: We are sticking to the timetable we set out, which is that we will have the last diesel-only buses this year. That itself is a target we have met.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Facilities (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: Rosslare Europort is a commercial operation and operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann. As such, any State investment would not be legal under EU regulations on state aid. However, Rosslare Europort is a division of Iarnród Éireann which is managing operations at the port and looking at its potential to develop it further. The 2017 Iarnród Éireann annual...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Facilities (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: It would be unlawful under EU regulations on state aid for the State to directly invest in Rosslare Port. Iarnród Éireann will put in €25 million and has developed investment plans for customs facilities and port infrastructure. That is a fair vote of confidence in the future of Rosslare. Up to €1.8 million will be invested from profits every year for the next five...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Security (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 66 together. Aviation security is a priority area at national and EU level which is under constant review and scrutiny in response to new intelligence on threats and risks. Ireland is obliged to play its part in the international effort to make flying as secure and safe as possible. If we aspire to be a highly connected nation, it is essential...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: This question is about plans for investment in primary routes in County Meath. First, I wish to explain that, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in respect of the national roads programme. However, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015, the planning, operation and development of individual road projects is a matter for the relevant...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: I might come back to it in a second.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: I will address the matter of Slane bypass.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: I will address the N2 Slane bypass and come back to the Deputy's question in a moment. In December 2009, a proposal for an N2 bypass of Slane was submitted to An Bord Pleanála. In March 2012, An Bord Pleanála refused planning consent citing its concern that, having regard to the importance and sensitivity of the location, a bypass of the type proposed could only be considered...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: Okay.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: My understanding is that pre-appraisal is the first stage and it certainly does not mean that final approval is guaranteed.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: It is not.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Network (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: My understanding is that it is not guaranteed, despite the pre-appraisal. The expected benefits of the Slane bypass are that it will provide a bypass of Slane village, provide an enhanced living environment within the historic village, reduce journey times and traffic delays in the vicinity of Slane and enhance access between Dublin and the north west region. This scheme is currently at...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Facilities (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 77 together. Rosslare Europort is unique among the State-owned ports, as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts but is instead operated on a commercial basis as a division of Iarnród Éireann. Technically, the port forms part of the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours Company, which is a 19th century...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Taxi Regulations (12 Feb 2019)

Shane Ross: I have given the deadline of 2019 and I am not going to revise it because it is realistic.