Results 5,861-5,880 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbour Authorities Membership (8 May 2018)

Shane Ross: The Harbours Act 2015 introduced changes in legislation in line with Government policy and to strengthen and improve corporate governance arrangements for port company boards, including the introduction of a 10-year limit on the period served by a director of a port company. Section 30(6) of the Harbours Act 1996, as substituted by section 39 of the Harbours Act 2015, provides that a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbour Authorities Staff (8 May 2018)

Shane Ross: In the case of the State commercial ports sector, section 36 of the Harbours Act 1996 provides that CEOs shall also be appointed to the board as an ex officio (often referred to as an executive) director of the relevant company for the duration of their term of office as a CEO. I would note that the appointment of a CEO as an ex officio director of a company is a standard feature of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbour Authorities Membership (8 May 2018)

Shane Ross: To strengthen the position of the Boards of Port Companies, the Harbours Act 2015 introduced changes in legislation in line with Government policy and to strengthen and improve corporate governance arrangements for company boards, including the introduction of 10-year limit on the period served by any director, including an employee director, of a port company. The legislation also...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbour Authorities Membership (8 May 2018)

Shane Ross: In line with the Ports Policy Statement 2005, the Harbours (Amendment) Act 2009 reduced the total number of directors serving on a port company board from 12 to 8. This was in recognition of the need for smaller, more focussed boards which were clearly aligned, on an individual member level, solely on the achievement of the commercial objectives and wellbeing of the port company.  In...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax (8 May 2018)

Shane Ross: Under the current motor tax system, motor tax remains with a vehicle on transfer of ownership and the vehicle remains taxed until the validity of the existing tax disc expires.   A motor tax disc is vehicle specific, with the registration number and other details pertaining to the vehicle printed on it.  This ensures that the disc relates only to a particular vehicle...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Provision (8 May 2018)

Shane Ross: My Department awarded funding of almost €4 million to Kerry County Council in 2014 for the development of the South Kerry Greenway from Glenbeigh to Renard.  Given the specific engineering challenges and potential land acquisition and other costs associated with delivering the South Kerry Greenway, the funding currently allocated to the project will not be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycle to Work Scheme Data (8 May 2018)

Shane Ross: The number of people cycling to work has steadily increased in recent years. The most recent Census figures compiled by the Central Statistics Office show 56,837 people cycling to work, school or college nationally in 2016 increasing from 39,803 in 2011, which represents an increase of 43%.  The Canal Cordon Count collected...

Topical Issue Debate: Ports Development (3 May 2018)

Shane Ross: It would not be irresponsible of me to say much of what Deputy James Browne said was right and that the future of the port was under active consideration. I am not promising immediate, sudden or imminent movement, but the structure of the ownership which is somewhat unorthodox certainly needs to come under more immediate scrutiny than it has. That will happen. The port's geographical...

Topical Issue Debate: Ports Development (3 May 2018)

Shane Ross: Not that I know of, but one never knows. I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. It is topical, relevant and particularly pertinent. It is an item of great interest to me now having been there and I see there is possibly unrealised potential in Rosslare Europort. I do not want to say anything that would give too much hope of some sort of an early change but I understand the points the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Free Travel Scheme (3 May 2018)

Shane Ross: The proposal for free InterRail referred to by the Deputy is a European Commission initiative. I understand that the Commission has allocated €12m for the provision of free travel passes for up to 15,000 18 year olds from across the European Union in 2018. The passes are to be allocated by means of a competition details of which are due to be announced by the Commission shortly....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax (3 May 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 222 together. The Comptroller and Auditor General published a Special Report on the administration and collection of motor tax in December 2016. The data compiled for the Report indicates that the average cost of processing a motor tax transaction in a local authority office is €10. The average cost for an online transaction is €5. As...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Training (3 May 2018)

Shane Ross: There was no expenditure incurred on attendance by Department staff at social media training conferences or other external events.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (3 May 2018)

Shane Ross: The IRCG have a number of functions and responsibilities, primarily Search and Rescue (SAR) and Maritime Pollution Prevention and Response. SAR functions are provided for in International Conventions promulgated by both the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Ireland is a contracting State to both organisations. The powers to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (3 May 2018)

Shane Ross: My Department has not incurred any expenditure on social media training since 2011. As part of my Department's promotion of Bike Week in 2017, external expenditure was incurred in relation to the online promotion of this national event and that expenditure is recorded on my Department's website. Total expenditure was €40,000 (ex VAT) and would include the establishment and management...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Border Crossings (3 May 2018)

Shane Ross: My Department has been working with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland to determine and agree on public road border crossings on the island of Ireland. I understand that this work is nearing completion and I expect to receive a report in the matter in the coming days. Thereafter, it is my intention to arrange for joint publication of the document together with the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (3 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.

Topical Issue Debate: Traffic Management (2 May 2018)

Shane Ross: On the issue raised by Deputy John Curran, we do not intend to develop an outer orbital route. It is not in our plans and not feasible. The National Transport Authority's greater Dublin area strategy does not include such a project because it would be incredibly expensive. It also recommends protection of this corridor. The suggestion made by Deputies John Lahart and John Curran that I...

Topical Issue Debate: Traffic Management (2 May 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputies for the opportunity to address this issue in the House today. It is not the first time it has been raised and I readily acknowledge that this is a constant problem that causes a great deal of difficulty for commuters. I fully recognise the pressures on transport infrastructure in the greater Dublin area, including the M50. Since completion of the major €1...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (2 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.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (2 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.