Results 3,881-3,900 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Policy (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: The enhanced procedures the Deputy asks about were decided by my Department and adopted by the National Civil Aviation Security Committee on the basis of a risk assessment by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), which has responsibility for regulating aviation security in Ireland. The Security Committee has members taken from key Government Departments (including Revenue), An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Safety (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy may be aware, I asked my officials to convene a meeting of the National Civil Aviation Threat and Risk Group to examine the issue of illegal operation of drones in and around prohibited airspace at Irish airports. This was in light of the recent drone events at Gatwick and Heathrow airports. The Group, which included representatives of all the relevant Government departments and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy may be aware I have secured significant improved funding allocations over the period 2018-2021 which will benefit both cyclists and walkers. These improved allocations over this period include: - €110 million specifically dedicated to cycling and walking infrastructure in our major urban areas; - €135 million for sustainable urban transport measures; - €750...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (16 Jan 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 roads is a matter for the relevant road authority (i.e. local authorities) in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Data (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together. The number of employees in the Department at 1st January 2019 is 557. A number of staff are qualified members of various professional bodies where Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is a requirement of their role. There is currently no CPD requirement for procurement. Details of the professional associations/institutes,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, to delete lines 16 and 17 and substitute the following: "(2) Part 3and the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2018 may be cited together as the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2019 and shall be construed together as one.". First, I will quickly comment, if I may, on the number of proposed amendments which I am bringing forward. I acknowledge...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: May I respond to those points? On Deputy Daly's point on cost-effectiveness, there is provision in the Bill and regulations. Health is certainly covered in the regulations. Let me address the important issue of night noise. Deputy Coppinger is absolutely right. It is recognised. The Deputy will probably be familiar with the reference. It is very high up in the priorities in the...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: I have nothing to add to that.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: That is fine. I would rather wait and reply to them all, if that is possible.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: Does the Chair wish for me to respond now and then respond to further points as they arise?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: I will respond now. I will address the issue generally and then respond to any individual questions I may have left out.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: The Commission for Aviation Regulation, CAR, was examined as an option. It is a small economic regulatory body responsible for determining the maximum level of charges which may be charged at Dublin Airport. It has no expertise or statutory remit in regard to environmental noise, environmental protection or planning and development, all of which issues are critical elements of the Bill....

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: It was. If the freedom of information request did not come up with records, perhaps those responsible did not keep records, but they were consulted.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: I am sure there were consultations and meetings. I can assure the Deputy of that.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: I will inquire into that.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: I will inquire for the Deputy.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: I can assure the Deputy now that there were meetings and they were consulted. I hope that answers the Deputy's question.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: The Commission for Aviation Regulation was contacted as well. There was certainly communication with all those bodies. I wish to respond to Deputy Brendan Ryan, who made the same point about the lack of independence or not being independent enough. I hope I have answered that by saying that we have taken opinion on the matter from outside the Department, in particular, from the Office of...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee Stage (16 Jan 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the members for their contributions. In response to Deputy Munster, there is legislation in the pipeline to break up the IAA. That is obviously a matter of independence. It is at an early stage but it will happen. Fingal County Council has considerable expertise already, although it does not have all the expertise. It has a considerable amount of expertise in various skills...