Results 4,561-4,580 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bus Services (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: Maybe Deputy Munster would like to do it. If she does not know the difference between privatisation and competitive tendering, she would not be able to sit in this seat for too long.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bus Services (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: There is a major difference. The Deputy says the most profitable routes are going out to competitive tender. She did not use that term but that is what is happening. The next Bus Éireann routes the NTA is proposing to put out to competitive tender are those which are low-performing. It proposes to tender these routes, which serve the Dublin commuter area and the eastern region, in...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bus Services (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: It is not about profit. It is about social need on routes that are not profitable and keeping them going for the good of the community. That is what the NTA is doing and that is the reason the PSO subvention increased by 36% in the three year period from 2016 to 2018. Deputy Munster complains that we are somehow running down these routes and the companies in question when the opposite is...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Airport Development Projects (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I welcome the Deputy's question and the opportunity it provides to reiterate my full support, and that of the Government, for the provision of additional runway capacity at Dublin Airport. The airport experienced its seventh consecutive year of growth last year, welcoming close to 30 million passengers, and the importance of ensuring that we have adequate airport capacity at our biggest...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Airport Development Projects (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: These are not competing projects. They can run in parallel and they have a very different timeline. The aim is that the runway would be completed by 2021 but we have to think more long term given the capacity problems that afflict Dublin Airport in particular. As Deputy Troy is aware, at the moment Dublin Airport has approximately 30 million passengers going through it annually. What is...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Airport Development Projects (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy is mistaken. The €900 million which the DAA intends to spend is aimed at dealing with a maximum potential of 40 million passengers. However, we must plan for beyond that point. The DAA is making some good, serious and constructive suggestions. I made an effort to meet the DAA to discuss matters, and I will meet the authority in the very near future to see what its plans are.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Airport Development Projects (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: The DAA could not meet me.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Airport Development Projects (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: Let me make it absolutely clear: I will meet anyone who has a vested interest, including the DAA, private interests, Aer Lingus, Ryanair and anybody else who has an interest in the development of Dublin Airport, if they have a constructive interest in doing that. The future of Dublin Airport is very exciting but it is very demanding, and we have to consider every possible option. That is...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Airport Development Projects (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: -----nor am I intent on making up my mind in the next two weeks, ahead of the findings from the consultations with the stakeholders. The Deputy will understand that when that has been done, I will be very happy to make an early decision because airport infrastructure demands long-term but early decisions.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 73 together. Public transport passenger numbers have increased in recent years reflecting broader economic and employment growth. The NTA’s recent Bus & Rail Statistics bulletin shows over 250 million passenger journeys were provided nationally last year on public obligation services provided by the transport operators. I welcome these...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Military Aircraft Landings (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: The transit of foreign military forces through Irish airspace and airports is a longstanding practice, which began shortly after the Second World War. The vast majority of these movements of military forces have been to and from the United States. Successive Irish Governments have maintained this practice and these facilities have never been withdrawn or suspended during many different...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Legislation (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: AsI have indicated before, the Attorney General has raised issues in relation to the proposed legislation on a minimum passing distance. Currently, my Department is engaging with the Attorney General's Office with a view to implementing alternative solutions which are legally robust. I expect this legislation to be in place before the end of the year. As to other initiatives, I am happy to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Reports (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: In my reply to a similar question by the Deputy in September, I informed the Deputy that the study had taken longer than originally anticipated, as it has proven more complex than initially envisaged, and that it was being finalised with the intention of publishing in the coming weeks. I am informed that the study is now finalised, is at the printers and will be published by the IMDO before...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Legislation (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 102 together. My priorities in respect of road traffic legislation have been focused on legislation which is immediately needed. In that context, my Department is currently working on a Road Traffic Bill to provide, in the main, for graduated penalties for speeding offences. While not a priority at this time, the consolidation of the Road...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: Proposals to deliver an upgraded East-West route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially the route involves upgrade/realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo. As regards the regional road aspect of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Reviews (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: The internal review of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders, 1973 and 1989 is currently being finalised by my Department The internal review is examining the Statutory Instrument primarily from an administrative and legal perspective. There is no proposal to change the long-standing Government policy of permitting aircraft used by the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 82 together. As the Deputy is aware BusConnects is one of the flagship investments to be delivered under Project Ireland 2040 and the 10-year National Development Plan. Public transport in the city is dominated by the bus, around two-thirds of all public transport trips in Dublin are taken by bus. It is clear therefore, that the bus is the main...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Noise Pollution Legislation (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware the General Scheme of the Airport Noise Regulation Bill 2018 was published on 28 September 2018 following a Government decision in July this year and was subsequently presented to and discussed in session with the Joint Oireachtas Committee early in October, in accordance with Pre-Legislative Scrutiny arrangements. The formal Bill is being finalised and I expect to be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: Firstly, I would like to explain that, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. However, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design, construction and development stages of individual road projects is a matter for (a) the relevant road authority (i.e. local authorities in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (6 Nov 2018)

Shane Ross: The safety and security of passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are matters first and foremost for the individual public transport companies in conjunction with, as appropriate, An Garda Síochána. While the vast majority of public transport passenger journeys occur without incident, I am concerned to ensure that the necessary...