Results 6,901-6,920 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The planned expansion of DART services to a ten-minute frequency and further enhancements of other commuter services will also help to grow the business further. It is not fair to come in and say things are getting worse when they are improving. They cannot all get better at the same time, but the Deputy is aware-----

Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy is aware of the great potential and the commitments that will be given in the national development plan. These will include many of the things the Deputy seeks. I ask for a little patience. The CIÉ group of companies is coming out of a very dark place. If we can get them out of that, we will have achieved a great deal for the nation and the travelling public.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Perhaps the Minister will allow me, before I begin, to mention the accident in Limerick this morning. A Bus Éireann Bus had an accident and there were 46 students on board. There are no full reports on the extent of the casualties at this stage. Our thoughts are with the affected families. I am sure the members of the committee have the same feelings. It is a sad and worrying time...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the committee for the invitation today. I am very grateful for this timely opportunity to address the committee on the issue of accessibility of public transport for people with disabilities. As the members may know, fighting for improved accessibility of public transport has been a key priority of mine since becoming Minister. In recent years, progress on this issue has been made...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Can I just answer the Chairman's points first?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I met Padraic Moran last week. He raised similar issues, some of which were identical to the ones he raised this morning. I have absolutely no reason whatsoever to doubt what he said. He is a person of great courage and good faith. I have asked my officials to meet Iarnród Éireann on all those issues immediately. I believe the meeting will be tomorrow. The matters will be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Certainly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: It has two years to bring it in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Can I just stop the Deputy there?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: That related to rural transport services; I did not understand it to relate to Bus Éireann overall.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I am just trying to sort them out. I will do that now. I will start with Senator O'Mahony's questions. The Senator was absolutely right when he said that what has happened up to now is inadequate. I agree with the Senator that it is inadequate. The stories he is hearing prove it is inadequate. The stories are not just anecdotes from malcontents; they are from genuine people who are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I would be very happy to do that if they felt it was in any way helpful or useful.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: It would be very good for me. I suggest that members of the committee also do it because the point is that nothing beats the experience.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The committee has done a lot about it already. Bringing all these people in is very convincing. I will do it in the next eight months. I might do it tomorrow but there is no point in saying I will do it then.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I will get in touch with somebody to do it. People who are identifiable to the staff and management are probably not the right people to choose in that situation. It has to be done in an anonymous way.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I will answer Senator Feighan's question. The Chairman will not let me answer it now but I will certainly be happy to answer it a little bit later when we are finished with the disability stuff.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I would be delighted to do that. I will come to Deputy Troy's questions. I apologise if anybody seemed to be celebrating too much about the 24-4 pilot. That was not the intention. There is a distinction between celebrating and announcing something to the public. It was a breakthrough but it was not enough. There was no suggestion at that stage that it was in any way a final outcome. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: My diary was just too full. What happened was I had an 8.30 a.m. appointment in south Dublin, which is a longstanding appointment, that goes on until after 9.30 a.m. I had an appointment at 11 o'clock in Dublin in my Department which could not be moved. I was very sorry to miss the event. That particular event was starting at 10 a.m. and involved a trip out to Howth and returning later....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I am very happy to do that. I am very sorry if they took offence. It meant cancelling two appointments or one. That was what happened. I have been more than willing to meet anybody on this issue at any time and do anything to promote the interests of people with disabilities. It would not be fair to take offence. I have gone outside to meet people whenever any Member of the Oireachtas...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: There will be vacancies on them all very shortly, there are vacancies on some of them at the moment. There are gaps and this is the reason we are advertising for the National Transport Authority, NTA, now. This vacancy and those on other boards will be filled in this way and by these types of people very shortly. Do not hold me to this, but by the end of the year they should probably all...