Results 541-560 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Toll Data (20 May 2020)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Matters relating...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (20 May 2020)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, my officials carried out a public consultation on whether or not to legislate for or regulate the use of powered personal transporters (PPTs) over a two month period late last year. In excess of 500 submissions were received, all of which were carefully considered. These submissions, in conjunction with independent research into the regulation and use of these vehicles...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (20 May 2020)

Shane Ross: Powered personal transporters, or PPTs, are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, the use of which requires a licence, tax and appropriate insurance in accordance with Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. As PPTs do not fall under any existing vehicle category, it is not currently possible to tax and insure them and there is no licence category for them. Therefore their use is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (20 May 2020)

Shane Ross: At the outset, I should clarify that my Department’s role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy and our tourism agencies (Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland) deal with the implementation of this policy. This is of course a concerning time for everyone involved in the tourism sector, including those who benefit from the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Licences (20 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1094 and 1095 together. The Government has put in place a range of measures to assist businesses during the current COVID-19 pandemic, including a waiver of commercial rates and the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme. Self-employed owner operators of SPSVs may also avail of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 a week. I recognise...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (20 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The National Transport Authority, as the regulatory body for the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, has published information for the SPSV industry which includes guidelines, based on the latest available public health advice, on how to keep vehicles clean to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This document is available on the NTA's website. I have also referred your question to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and it has been designated among the essential services that are to carry on. I would like to thank operators and staff for their continued dedication to providing this vital service in such challenging times. A number of measures have been introduced across the system, guided by public...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Contracts (20 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The Department had published details of expenditure on all on external services (including consultancy) for the period 2013-2018 on its website.  Details of expenditure on external services (including consultancy) for 2019 is attached (see Professional Services) in the link below.  The OGP Public Procurement Guidelines (January 2019) ())set out best practice in relation to...

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Shane Ross: Arising from the tendering process, Clare Bus emerged as the preferred bidder, with the signing of contracts - which is anticipating what the Deputy is saying - due to take place in January 2020. A series of correspondence issued from the NTA to Clare Bus between January and March 2020 in an effort to enter into a contractual relationship with the company.

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Shane Ross: Clare Bus did not-----

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I am just going to finish this because the Deputy asked me for a reply.

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Shane Ross: Clare Bus did not sign contracts by the deadline set by the NTA. The NTA considered that in the interest of customers across the county, it was left with no option but to put alternative measures in place. As of Monday, 23 March 2020, two local transport operators have been contracted by the NTA to deliver Local Link services in County Clare.

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I do not know where the Deputy's letter was sent. Does he know at what address he wrote to me?

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The Deputy wrote to my office in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Shane Ross: If the Deputy wrote to my office, I will make inquiries.

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I have already answered that question and outlined the plans. I will tell the Deputy what the situation is. As of Monday, 23 March, two local transport operators were contracted by the NTA to deliver Local Link services to Clare.

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I have no plans to do so.

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I have answered the Deputy's question already. The contract has been awarded. The Deputy asked about the NTA. The NTA has advised that the direct award arrangements with Clare Bus for the provision of bus services expired on 1 July 2019. I am sure the Deputy is aware of this. It has further advised that negotiations with Clare Bus on a new direct award contract were ongoing between July...

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I agree with the Deputy regarding deaths on the roads. It is disappointing. I am not sure whether I am going to answer his question because I agree with everything he said, so it is a bit difficult to respond. It is disappointing that in circumstances where there is so little traffic on the roads the road deaths have gone up. The explanations are difficult to understand. The statistics,...

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (13 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I have just enough time to say that I will make sure that we communicate with the Deputies in writing about all those issues. I counted 23 and I do not think I can deal with them all now. With regard to driving tests, since both Deputies asked, it would be reasonable to speculate that they will happen fairly late in the day.