Results 4,521-4,540 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Development Projects (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I met the airlines more recently and I meet the DAA frequently. All their views, if they wish to make them known during the public consultation, will be taken into account. There will have to be a legitimate procurement process if this goes ahead, but that has not even been decided on. What we are doing at present is consulting on the basis of this report, which makes various suggestions...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Traffic Legislation (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan. As she may be aware, some local authorities develop by-laws to license horse-drawn carriages operating commercially. Through by-laws, these local authorities set their own rules and stipulations to govern such operations. It is under Part 19 of the Local Government Act 2001 that local authorities are provided with the power to make by-laws. In most counties there...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Traffic Legislation (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I do not want to make any promises on that because this has taken me by surprise. I do not want suddenly to make the mistake Deputy Munster made, which was to put a wrong amendment in a wrong Act, as a result of which it was legally questionable. I will, however, look at the possibility of a repeal. This document has taken my Department and me very much by surprise. I think it was only...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Traffic Legislation (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: Dublin City Council has told my Department how this came about. It had legal advice that it was legal and appropriate for it to make these by-laws but during a review of the 2011 by-laws, the council's law agent provided legal advice that since the 19th century Dublin Carriages Acts had not been repealed, there was no legal basis for the council to make by-laws for horse-drawn carriages. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cycling Policy (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I reject Deputy Ryan's assertions, which fly in the face of the evidence. He repeats a mantra I have heard from him so often that I do not expect him to reverse on it in the face of the evidence. I expect instead that he will keep saying it in order that some people will believe him. I am somewhat surprised by the Deputy's claim that the majority of actions under the national cycle...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport Expenditure (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I cannot see how the Deputy can be dissatisfied with the spend.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Development Projects (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 93 together. I am not aware that there is universal opposition to the proposal. The Deputy must know something I do not know. We have not yet carried out the consultation, but I do not expect that there will be universal opposition to it. I expect that during the consultation differing views will be expressed, with some in favour of the proposal...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Development Projects (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: Deputy Munster mentioned that the trade unions and various other groups are opposed to the proposal. I have not heard any response from the trade unions on the proposal. Maybe they have issued a statement, but I have not seen it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Development Projects (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: They are key stakeholders and I presume they will have an interest in the matter. They will be consulted, as will all of the airlines. All people who are interested in making submissions should do so, including the DAA, Ryanair, Aer Lingus and other interested groups. We will take those submissions into account. That is the purpose of the consultation process and the reason the report was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Development Projects (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: On Deputy Troy's questions, I have no hesitation in saying that I stand by the appointment of Fingal County Council as the independent competent authority. The necessary legislation should be introduced this month. We believe we will deliver on schedule. There is no slippage in the timetable.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Development Projects (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: We will deliver by March 2021 and the runway will be in operation by the end of 2021 as envisaged. On Deputy Eamon Ryan's question, to which I did respond earlier, the consultants were told that in making their report they should consider everything in line with Government policy and that any recommendations they made could not contradict that policy.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Development Projects (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: That is a very reasonable assertion for them to make. On Deputy Munster's question, there will be opposition. There will be parties who will not be in favour of it and there will be others who are. I have met several groups of people. In recent months - I do not know how recently - I met representatives of virtually all of the airlines. I met the McEvaddy brothers two years ago and I have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Park and Ride Facilities (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I do not believe there is a charging point at Ballybrophy although there is one in Portarlington.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Park and Ride Facilities (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: The one in Portlaoise is very well used. I take the Deputy's point. If he thinks there should be more in Portlaoise, I will pass on that message to Iarnród Éireann and see what is the response. I share the Deputy's concern about people parking for the day and blocking the parking spaces and the charger. If that were to happen, it would be unforgivable. If it is happening, it...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Park and Ride Facilities (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I want to do everything I can to encourage people to use these charging points. What the Deputy is expressing is probably a microcosm of what is happening elsewhere. While I am talking rather loosely as I have no other evidence, it would appear that Portlaoise is not the only place this is happening. If people are blocking parking spaces and using chargers, they may be frustrating others...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Park and Ride Facilities (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: -----but what I can do is pass on Deputy Stanley's message and I can ask them the question-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Park and Ride Facilities (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I will do that. I will ask them a question about whether this is a frequent occurrence and whether it is affecting EVs, because that would be an important point to make.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Park and Ride Facilities (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: We will also continue to promote EVs through purchase grants, VRT and benefit-in-kind relief, reduced tolls and the home charger installation grant. These incentives have resulted in some 6,500 electric vehicles being on Irish roads today. The position is improving rapidly and we are working to ensure that continues.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport Expenditure (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: In budget 2019 I secured an overall allocation for 2019 of €2.3 billion for the transport, tourism and sport Vote. This spending will support delivery of the national strategic outcomes outlined in the national planning framework, it is aligned with the strategic investment priorities of the national development plan and it is a 17% increase on the 2018 level. Some €788...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport Expenditure (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I get staggered from time to time when I listen to Deputy Munster. I sometimes think good news is very unwelcome to her and that she finds it rather uncomfortable, so she has somehow to misinterpret it. I do not know what planet she is on. I have to repeat that the PSO subvention increased in 2016, 2017 and again this year. It is an increase. I do not know if the Deputy thinks it is a...