Results 4,141-4,160 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Trans European Transport Network Programme (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: The most important point the Deputy made - and I do not in any way suggest the others were not important - was the fact that Donegal, as are other Border counties, is looking on the arrival of Brexit with a certain degree of trepidation. It is important to the Deputy and his colleagues that Donegal does not suffer as a result of Brexit but this is in flux. In these circumstances, the Border...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Development (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: 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 as a division of Iarnród Éireann. Iarnród Éireann recently completed a detailed report on Rosslare and a €15 million plan to transform Rosslare Europort has been approved by the board of Irish Rail. Investment in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Development (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy probably put his finger on it when he mentioned Brexit as being such a sword of Damocles over so many places. However, it might also provide opportunities for Rosslare. The advent of Brexit might or might not provide opportunities. There will have to be changes in many of the ports and Rosslare will not be immune from them. I am sure the Deputy is aware the process of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Transport Network Safety (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: I think the Minister for Justice and Equality wrote to the Garda Commissioner. I do not think he met him; I am not sure. I do not know what the outcome of that was, but I think it was quite recent. I could find out and come back to the Deputy. I know it is a matter of some urgency. In reply to the question about what is being done, I wrote to the RSAC. In its response it recommended...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Transport Network Safety (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy. In addition to what I said about security screens being available on the low-floor single-deck and double-desk bus fleet, I note that according to Bus Éireann all assaults and incidents of anti-social behaviour are fully investigated and followed up with An Garda Síochána as required. Any employee involved in such an incident is supported by the company...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Trans European Transport Network Programme (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: I welcome the pupils from the school mentioned. They have a worthy representative speaking on behalf of Donegal today, who will no doubt give me and successive Ministers a difficult time if we do not deliver for Donegal. I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 41 together. First, I would like to explain that, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have overall responsibility for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tender Process (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: I think Michael O'Leary would be absolutely horrified by that description. I do not think he would recognise it as being the case. I have met him a few times, but to describe him as a good friend of mine is-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tender Process (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: -----just inaccurate, and that should not be allowed to stand. I have never been in his house and he has never been in mine. I think I have met him once for a cup of coffee or a light lunch in the past 25 years. I have met him on other occasions which have been businesslike and nothing else. I therefore ask the Deputy not to throw across the floor of the House the allegation that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tender Process (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: The Acting Chairman is quite correct that it was not about Mr. O'Leary, but I could not allow Deputy Coppinger's statement to be left on the record. I did not introduce the matter. To say I have tweeted admiringly about Mr. O'Leary is equally fatuous. I have tweeted admiringly about the socialist Greek Government as well.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tender Process (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: That is a completely different area of the political spectrum, and I am sure the Greek Government believes in many of the same things as Deputy Coppinger. Thank God public transport is expanding, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus are expanding and the number of passengers travelling on them is expanding. Go-Ahead is entering a market and, I hope, doing well because it is accommodating a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Transport Network Safety (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for her question. It is a serious and worthy one and is along the lines of what we have already heard about the necessity to protect the staff, which is essential and which I agree is not adequate in all cases. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy on and overall funding of public transport. The safety and security of Bus...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Olympic Games (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: Can I respond to that?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Olympic Games (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy had a question for me.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tender Process (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Coppinger for the question. The question appears to be on the tendering of Bus Éireann routes and asks me to make a statement on the matter. I will respond to the other part of the question later if the Deputy wishes. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding relating to public transport. However, I am not...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bus Services (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: I appreciate the sense of urgency displayed by the Deputy and I also have that sense of urgency. He should not be under the impression that nothing will happen with bus corridors in the next decade. A National Transport Authority-led public consultation on four of its new bus lanes in Dublin started on Wednesday, 14 November, as the Deputy is aware. It runs until early next year. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for putting the question, as the matter is of concern to a large number of Deputies, particularly in the Dublin area. It is a matter of some angst for people on some modes of transport and less in others. It is a relevant and well-intentioned question. The safety and security of public transport passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy mentioned the need for additional resources and I have given Iarnród Éireann an extra €115,000, of which I know the Deputy is aware. That has come from my Department's Vote very late in the year in order to assist with this specific problem. The additional funding from the Vote will enable Irish Rail to take further measures that can reassure passengers and staff...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: I am certainly not aware of them being dissatisfied with being handed €115,000 to alleviate the problem. We will see what happens and what will be the result. We are not even over the Christmas period yet so we cannot see the effect it has had. They must be pleased with the fact that the Deputy's representations, the trade union's representations, their own representations and our...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bus Services (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware BusConnects is one of the flagship investments to be delivered under Project Ireland 2040 and the ten year national development plan, NDP. The programme is made up of a number of different components, namely, building a new network of improved bus and cycle lanes; redesigning and expanding the network of bus services; introducing simpler fare structures and new...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bus Services (12 Dec 2018)

Shane Ross: I will try to answer the Deputy's question. Bus corridors are not the first thing to go in in this situation. The last major overhaul of the bus network in Dublin was implemented without any infrastructure developments accompanying it. The network redesign, which is the first thing, can be done in advance of the introduction of the new bus lanes. This will obviously take time. A large...