Results 7,021-7,040 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Topical Issue Debate: Light Rail Projects Provision (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: That is not very specific to say the least. My suggestion is that a cost-benefit analysis should be carried out on it. I would be happy if the Deputy could provide to me an estimate of the costs and the benefits in writing.

Topical Issue Debate: Light Rail Projects Provision (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: I would be very happy to present it to the NTA and to hear its criticism or assessment of it. I do hold out some hope for what Deputy Rock said. I wish to respond to him about BusConnects because he mentioned the fact that his is the only constituency in north Dublin without at least two forms of transport. The NTA, which is the primary mover in this regard, does not think of places in...

Topical Issue Debate: Light Rail Projects Provision (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputies for presenting their case. Both Deputies and I have ambitions. The only difference between them and me is that I have a chequebook they do not have, but I cannot just open it at will. The aspirations of both Deputies are ambitious and they have made a very good case. The only problem is the timing and the commercial viability and good sense of doing those things. In...

Seanad: Vehicle Registration Data (Automated Searching and Exchange) Bill 2018: Second Stage (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the House for the opportunity to present the Bill. It is a very specialised Bill which is necessary in order to meet obligations entered into by Ireland under European Union measures known as the Prüm decisions. These decisions are named after the town in Germany where the principles behind them were originally agreed and address the need to share certain kinds of information...

Seanad: Vehicle Registration Data (Automated Searching and Exchange) Bill 2018: Second Stage (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the House for the opportunity to present the Bill today. I thank all who have participated in the debate. Deputies Paul Daly and O'Mahony asked what I think is a fair question, when they asked why the Bill had taken so long to come to the House. It should not have taken so long. We should not be getting into a situation where the European Union is showing quite so much interest in...

Seanad: Vehicle Registration Data (Automated Searching and Exchange) Bill 2018: Second Stage (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: The Prüm decisions require use of full registration or VIM, so the partial number plate would not be compliant. Senator Ó Donnghaile spoke about data protection and the need to protect people as the scale of the issue worries him. I will certainly look at that and I will examine the amendments that are tabled, but we would have to accommodate them within the confines of the...

Seanad: Vehicle Registration Data (Automated Searching and Exchange) Bill 2018: Second Stage (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: It is difficult when one is balancing data protection against counter terrorism. Obviously data protection is sacred and we must bear it in mind all the time, but so is human life as well. We must try to balance those two things.

Seanad: Vehicle Registration Data (Automated Searching and Exchange) Bill 2018: Second Stage (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: I believe the principles of the Bill, although heavy on detail and jargon are clear. Through votes of the Oireachtas, Ireland is committed to implementing the Prüm decisions. This Bill is necessary in order to fulfil that obligation. The decisions mean sharing of vehicle registration data, VRD, in order to prevent and to investigate crime. We will not be compliant with the EU...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: There is an exemption from the requirement to wear a seat belt where a person holds a certificate from a medical practitioner stating that they cannot wear a seat belt for medical reasons. Information in respect of such an exemption can be found on the Road Safety Authority's website.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: The Irish Coast Guard is designated as a principal emergency service under the Framework for Emergency Management and is part of the Irish Maritime Administration of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. It does not fall under any of the three Principal Response Agencies which are An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and the Local Authorities.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together. The remit of the Irish Coastguard is derived from various sources, statutory and non-statutory, as described hereunder. The National Framework for Major Emergency Management, which was adopted by Government decision in 2006, assigns the IRCG responsibility for co-ordinating the response to marine incidents outside port...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: Details of the regional and local road grant payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library. Details of the 2018 regional and local road grant allocations are also available in the Dáil library.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (31 Jan 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: Public Transport Provision (31 Jan 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: Greenways Funding (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: The Deputy's question covers a large range of projects funded by my Department under several different funding streams during the past 10 years. To answer the question as comprehensively as possible there are three tables attached. Table 1covers the projects funded under the National Cycle Network Funding Programmes 2012-2013 and 2014-2016 and the Government Stimulus Programme 2014. Table 2...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Advisers Data (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: I appointed Aisling Dunne and Carol Hunt as my Special Advisers on becoming Minister and reappointed them following the Cabinet reshuffle in June 2017. Their role is to advise me in relation to political and Departmental issues. Prior to being appointed as my Special Advisers, Ms. Dunne was my Parliamentary Assistant in the Oireachtas and Ms. Hunt was a journalist and columnist. Their...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: The Public Spending Code is the set of rules and procedures that apply to ensure that these standards are upheld across the Irish public service. The Code brings together in one place all of the elements of the value-for-money framework that has been in force up to now, updated and reformed in some respects. The Code is maintained under the management of the Central Expenditure Evaluation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pension Provisions (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: Issues in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees. In a Topical Issues debate in this House on 6 December 2017, I outlined the challenges faced in addressing the solvency of the schemes and the process underway to address the deficit which involves...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations (31 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). In light of this, I have referred your question to the NTA for an update on the status regarding work on the pedestrian/cycle bridge between Broombridge and Ashtown railway stations. Please advise my private...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Roads Maintenance Funding (30 Jan 2018)

Shane Ross: I thank the Senator for raising this very important matter, which no doubt he will raise at the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport when I am there next week or the week after. As Minister, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding on the national roads programme. In its annual budget, the planning, design and implementation, as the Senator will know, of individual...