Results 5,461-5,480 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Other Questions: Transport Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: She said that she has been calling on me to act for two years. It has certainly not been two years. The amendment to which she refers-----

Other Questions: Transport Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: -----was made in December 2016. That is not two years ago.

Other Questions: Transport Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: We would have four-year parliamentary terms if we used the Deputy's calculations and all sorts of other unpleasant problems would arise. The Deputy went on to say that I have done nothing during the period in question. That is simply not true. We have been through this at the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport. The NTA carried out an extremely thorough survey in respect of...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: This is ludicrous. The Deputy has said that I have done nothing and that I should get my act together. We seem to have an amnesiac in our midst. I accepted the amendment tabled by the Deputy.

Other Questions: Transport Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I accepted the amendment tabled by the Deputy. I gave her that commitment. I found that the legal problems were too great and that the matter has to be addressed in a different way. I immediately responded to what the Deputy did and said that we would take her point on board. To say that I do not have the enthusiasm for tackling this issue is absurd. We now have legal complexities which...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The national development plan, NDP, sets out the investment priorities to 2027 that will support the implementation of the national planning framework. In doing so, the NDP sets out the major challenges facing the country including: demographic change; the need to move to a being a low-carbon, climate-resilient society; Brexit; and realising sustainable growth. The plan seeks to set...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I hear the Deputy loud and clear. I will be delighted to visit. Perhaps as well as looking at the roads the Deputy could arrange that we visit one or two of the companies that are likely to suffer.

Other Questions: Road Projects (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: This is a happier story than some of the others we have had today. I am glad to be able to welcome it as well. It is important we take note of not only the views of the local authority and ourselves and our own examination but also the views of the Industrial Development Authority, IDA. The development of this land was regarded as essential to enable the IDA to attract foreign direct...

Other Questions: Road Projects (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the IDA, Sligo County Council and the local representatives. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport provided €11 million and I think the IDA provided €5 million. It is a good combined effort.

Other Questions: Tourism Industry (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I am not reluctant to answer any of the Deputy's questions but I thought that, because of the extent of the detail in the survey of 10,000 people, it might be appropriate to get the information from Fáilte Ireland. I can arrange for the Deputy to have a full briefing from them because I know it is close to his heart and to his neighbourhood. I am often asked to micromanage by answering...

Other Questions: Tourism Industry (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy is right about the overseas flights, and about bringing more people in and increasing tourism. The anecdotal evidence I have received in the past couple of days is that the response to the new brand, and the marketing of the new region, is way above and beyond expectations and that is extremely encouraging. An initial €2 million has been allocated for 2018 to start the...

Other Questions: Road Projects (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I am grateful to Deputy Scanlon for raising this matter. The news is encouraging. The maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant road authority under section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the local authority's own resources, supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: To make an informed statement or decision on the basis of what the Deputy has spelled out to me requires me to visit the area concerned. This is a matter on which I cannot give any assurance across the floor. If the Deputy so wishes, I will visit the areas some time over the summer. Members opposite sometimes think that politicians on this side of the House are dripping with insincerity in...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: He did look for extra money for all of his colleagues. There is considerable pent up demand for road improvement projects on regional and local roads. One such project, the east-west Dundalk to Sligo link, was referred to by the Deputy. The Department has provided funding this year to allow the appraisal to be updated. The Government is committed to cross-Border roads and development...

Other Questions: Tourism Industry (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Troy for taking this question which asks about the designation of the heart of Ireland tourism area, a mistake I am sure he would not have made if he had drafted the question. As the Deputy may be aware, development of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, including its geographical boundaries, was the responsibility of Fáilte Ireland rather than the...

Priority Questions: Road Tolls (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I do not dispute the facts. However, I underline that the primary purpose of this tunnel is to get HGVs to the port and not to encourage commuters to either enter the centre of the city or go anywhere else, particularly at peak times. It would be unacceptable to have congestion in the tunnel at peak times on many fronts and that is the reason for the tolling structure. Of course, it would...

Priority Questions: Road Tolls (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I do not blame commuters for using that tunnel and certainly not for the desire to use it. However, I do not wish them to do it. I remind the Deputy that the purpose of the tunnel is to get HGVs to the port on time, to keep traffic out of the port at peak times and to keep traffic out of the city at those times. This tunnel is of great assistance to trade and traffic control. We must...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy. I know he has been a most vocal and consistent advocate for the problems of Brexit, not only for the roads but also for the entire Border region. I share his concerns regarding the potential adverse effects of Brexit on the sectors he identified. The efficiency of our transport infrastructure is just one element that determines transport costs. Other elements include...

Priority Questions: Cycling Facilities Funding (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: There is no point in muttering when it will happen. It is a serious commitment and it will benefit future generations. It is a permanent commitment to cycling and walking. That is what is so important about it. The bus situation is one element of it, but perhaps a more important one is the message that one cannot build bus lanes of this nature without also accommodating the cyclists....

Priority Questions: Road Safety Strategy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: Resourcing for An Garda Síochána falls within the area of responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, and resourcing of the roads policing unit within An Garda Síochána is a matter for the acting Garda Commissioner. The issue of resourcing the roads policing unit, along with targeted visible enforcement of road traffic law by An Garda...