Results 5,501-5,520 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of local authorities in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of projects...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Management (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I fully recognise the pressures on transport infrastructure in the greater Dublin area, including on the M50. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) along with other stakeholders, is continuing to implement a number of measures on the M50 to manage demand and optimise operational efficiency, including: - enhanced vehicle recovery services; - establishment of an Interagency...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: As an island destination, direct, convenient and competitive access services are critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism for Ireland. A total of 129 million Chinese people travelled overseas in 2017, making China the world’s largest outbound travel market. Accordingly, China and Hong Kong are important emerging travel markets for Ireland.  The new direct flights from...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sport and Recreational Development (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: In line with responses that have previously been given to this House in response to similar questions, the new national sports policy in nearing completion and will be published shortly, following its consideration by Government. A very thorough and comprehensive process has been followed in the preparation of this new policy, which will set out Ireland’s Vision for Sport in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Appointments to State Boards (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: Since becoming a Minister, I have been particularly struck by the personal experiences related to me in my meetings with people with disabilities who use public transport.  As a result of wide consultation with members of the disability community and with disability bodies striving to make an impact, I decided that the public transport companies under my aegis should each have at...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: This is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA).  I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) in conjunction with my Department has undertaken a study into the use of the UK landbridge by Irish importers and exporters. The purpose of this research is to establish the volume of traffic using the UK landbridge at present, the potential consequences that Brexit will have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Anti-Social Behaviour (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The safety and security of passengers and staff including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour on the DART is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with, as appropriate, An Garda Síochána. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Company for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Insurance Costs (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I agree that the increases in premium costs of motor insurance in recent years has certainly been a cause for concern for all drivers, including the owners of Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSVs). However, recent CSO figures show overall motor premiums for the year 2018 as being lower in comparison to those for the previous two years. As you may know, the pricing of insurance...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Noise Pollution (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The Government has made a decision that Fingal County Council shall be the Competent Authority for the purpose of EU Regulation 598/2014.  This Government decision was based on an assessment that Fingal County Council represented the best available option for the timely and effective implementation of the Airport Noise Regulation, given that there is significant amount of focus on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Management (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  While the 2014 M50 Demand Management Study recommended the introduction of multi-point tolling on the M50, my consistent position has been that I do not propose to introduce such tolls as the likely impact of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services Provision (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy appears to be raising two separate issues here as the DART does not currently run through the Phoenix Park Tunnel. Since its reopening in November 2016, the Phoenix Park Tunnel has seen commuters on the Kildare to Dublin Heuston line benefit from having the option of direct trains to city centre stations such as Connolly, Tara, Pearse and Docklands. I am advised by...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities. The current funding arrangements in relation to the A5 are governed by the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start. This Agreement reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and committed an...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: EU Regulations (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: Since the Government decision in January this year to designate Fingal County Council as the Competent Authority for EU Regulation 598/2014, officials from my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government have been working on Draft Heads of a Bill. That work, I am advised, has been very detailed and technical in nature. It is primarily focusing on the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Provision (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including light rail and cycling.   Recently the NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) launched a public consultation on the details in relation to the "Emerging Preferred Route" for the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, as I had previously promised, on 21 May I hosted a round-table discussion on public transport policy, in the context of a wider work programme in my Department - on foot of a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government - to review public transport policy to ensure services are sustainable into the future and are meeting the needs...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network Expansion (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 116 together. The National Development Plan (NDP) notes the funding priority for the inter-urban rail network is to protect the investment already made in the national rail network, including the Wexford line, by funding projects needed to maintain safety and service levels in railway operations. The NDP also confirms a number of key investment...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 95 together. The issues raised are a matter for The National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Bus Éireann, and I have forwarded the Deputies questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Programme (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: The priority legislation for my Department during the remainder of the current Dáil session is the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017. The Deputy may be aware that this is currently at the Report and Final Stages in the Dáil and will be referred to the Seanad afterwards. In advance of the autumn/winter legislative session, the necessary preparatory work continues within my...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Licences (12 Jun 2018)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy will be aware, the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. Section 15 of this Act provides that an SPSV licence may continue to be operated by a person who was nominated by the licence holder in advance of his or her death.  This is a...