Results 5,801-5,820 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Funding (17 May 2018)

Shane Ross: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy development. While the Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland to invest in tourism offerings, it does not have a role in the administration of Fáilte Ireland's grant programmes. Similarly, the Department does not have discretionary funds at its disposal to assist with individual tourism...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority Reports (17 May 2018)

Shane Ross: This is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Funding (17 May 2018)

Shane Ross: In recent years, Exchequer investment in cycling infrastructure has been made under a number of different programmes and schemes administered by my Department. Projects funded under the Smarter Travel programme involved integrated initiatives across a number of aspects of active/smarter travel and incorporated measures such as investment in cycle lanes, bike parking, footpaths, traffic...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus (17 May 2018)

Shane Ross: The issue raised is an operational matter for Dublin Bus and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Compulsory Purchase Orders (16 May 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 to 182, inclusive, together. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Bodies Establishment (16 May 2018)

Shane Ross: As outlined in my Department's National Policy Statement on Airport Charges, my Department committed to establish a working group of key stakeholders to examine and report on options to allow the regulated entity and its airline customers to reach price agreements amongst themselves, subject to regulatory oversight. In December, my Department issued a discussion paper to key stakeholders...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Integrated Ticketing (16 May 2018)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport including ticketing technology. Therefore, I have forwarded your query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Provision (16 May 2018)

Shane Ross: I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area and undertakes a support role for the relevant local authorities, on a non statutory basis, in the Regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. Issues relating to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: HSE Data (16 May 2018)

Shane Ross: Details in relation to taxi contracts awarded by the HSE are a matter for that body which operates under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Health. The Sectoral Plan, to which the Deputy refers, was published in 2013, and the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) commenced operations the following year. The OGP, together with four key sectors (Health, Defence, Education and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Fares (16 May 2018)

Shane Ross: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Topical Issue Debate: Dublin Bus (15 May 2018)

Shane Ross: I do not have much more to say to the Deputy because I have made it quite clear that this is a matter for the NTA and not for me. He spoke about micromanaging Dublin Bus but I will not be micromanaging Dublin Bus. It would be absurd to suggest I do so.

Topical Issue Debate: Dublin Bus (15 May 2018)

Shane Ross: It is totally contradictory to suggest I intervene at a higher level. I am not going to do so. The Deputy is perfectly entitled to fight this particular battle and I am perfectly willing to allow the NTA to do the job I have entrusted it to do. That is why we appoint its people. I do not get involved in the day-to-day business for a very good reason - if I did so, Deputy Lahart would be...

Topical Issue Debate: Dublin Bus (15 May 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy would ask why we had the NTA at all. On the question of privatisation, we have made it absolutely clear that 10% is where we are and 10% is where we wish to stay. For the Deputy to come to the House and use scare tactics about us privatising a lot more is misleading, though I will not say it is dishonest. We have made it quite clear we are not on a privatisation path for Dublin...

Topical Issue Debate: Dublin Bus (15 May 2018)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. However, I am not involved in the operation of public transport companies, including their branding. The NTA has statutory responsibility to secure the development and implementation of a single public transport brand under section 5 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act...

Topical Issue Debate: Driver Test Waiting Lists (15 May 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I would like to put on record my personal appreciation for the support given by Sinn Féin to the traffic legislation before the House. We are on the same page about saving lives. I acknowledge what the Deputy has raised here today is a real problem. It is something which is being addressed. I acknowledge as well that it is not yet...

Topical Issue Debate: Driver Test Waiting Lists (15 May 2018)

Shane Ross: I will refer the Deputy's comments to the RSA and ask is there any case for that at all. I suspect that the RSA will respond by saying that the efforts it is making at present are adequate. I note that Cork is high up on the list of average waiting times. At 16 weeks, it stands in ninth or tenth position in a fairly long list. It is well above the average waiting time. I will ask the RSA...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (15 May 2018)

Shane Ross: Contingency planning in relation to Brexit at both a national and an EU level is focused on three areas: preparing for a no-deal scenario or so-called “disorderly Brexit”; preparing for a transition period based on the “status quo”; and preparing for the future EU-UK relationship. The European Commission is also contingency planning on this basis and in the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax Rates (15 May 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 to 490 together. Motor tax taken out on a half-yearly and quarterly basis is charged at 55.5% and 28.25% of the annual rate respectively. Each half-yearly and quarterly renewal of motor tax requires the same administrative procedure as the annual renewal process. Any consideration of abolition or re-balancing of the charge for non-annual discs must take...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Contracts Data (15 May 2018)

Shane Ross: The information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at the following link:-external-services The information is updated twice yearly. The first six months of 2018 will be published later in the year.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network Expansion (15 May 2018)

Shane Ross: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area. This includes the planned works in preparation for the proposed electrification of the Maynooth commuter train service. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for reply. Please...