Results 7,441-7,460 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: Statements (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank all Senators for their contributions, which were interesting and in some cases, challenging, such as Senator Grace O'Sullivan's, while others were very stimulating indeed and in one or two cases were totally irrelevant. That is fair enough. That is par for the course. Those speakers who are critical of our vision and the fact that we have not met our targets are correct. There is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together. The Government is committed to facilitating an increased uptake of electric vehicles (EVs). The Deputy may be aware that my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment (DCCAE), have jointly convened an interdepartmental LEV Task Force to consider the range...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I was delighted to secure funding as part of Budget 2018 to support a range of low carbon transport options, including the transition of our SPSV (Taxi/Hackney/Limousine) sector to electric vehicles. This sector plays a vital role in championing the use of electric vehicles to members of the public, and in reducing harmful tailpipe emissions particularly across our...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry Regulation (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: Five axle non-articulated trucks (rigids) are a relatively recent phenomenon on Irish roads. Across the EU there is no maximum weight 'norm' for such vehicles and a lacuna in Ireland's Construction and Use Regulations has meant that a maximum weight limit for such vehicles has hitherto remained unstipulated. It is precisely to correct this regulatory anomaly that Transport Infrastructure...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network Safety (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, plans have been developed for a new train station at Pelletstown, approximately mid-way between Broombridge and Ashtown railway stations. As well as serving this area with a new train station, this facility also incorporates a pedestrian/cycle bridge over both the railway and the canal at this location. This will link with the canal towpath on the north side of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test Data (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: The average waiting times for driving tests at all centres are available on the Road Safety Authority (RSA) website at www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Test-Wait ing-Times. The average waiting time is an average of current waiting times for applicants at each Test Centre.  Applicants will have waiting times both longer and shorter than the average. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licence Renewals (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: Irish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law.  Under EU law, Member States may issue driving licences only to those normally resident in their jurisdiction. A person may remain 'normally resident' if they are out of the country for fixed-term contract of work or for a fixed period of study.  However, we cannot issue driving licences to people who have taken up...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Policy (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I am acutely aware of the importance of safety for our cyclists and I am very conscious of the increase in cycling fatalities this year. My Department continues to work with and fund key stakeholders to address how road users behave on our roads in order to promote a safe and respectful approach from all users sharing the public road space. The Road Safety Authority, which...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Éireann 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: Capital Expenditure Programme (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: Full details on the allocations for each of my Department's subheads for 2018 will be set out, as usual, in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV).  In the meantime my Department is in discussion with relevant agencies regarding the details of allocations. The Government has also proposed that a ten year national investment plan will be set out which will take account of the National...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Funding (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, as part of Budget 2018, I secured a significant increase in the level of Exchequer capital funding available for investment in cycling infrastructure over the period 2018-2021. Capital investment of over €110m will develop cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and Regional Cities over...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Improvement Scheme Expenditure (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: Due to the major cutbacks in roads funding resulting from the financial crisis it was necessary for my Department to cease making separate allocations to local authorities in respect of the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) in 2011. Since then local authorities have had the option of using a proportion of their Discretionary Grant for LIS should they wish to do so. The decision...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Park and Ride Facilities (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 423 and 424 together. The collection and collation of transport statistics is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport operators and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions 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: Electric Vehicles (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: The Government is committed to faci litating the increased uptake of lo w emitting vehicles (LEVs).  It is Ireland’s ambition that all new cars and vans sold in this country from 2030 will be zero emission (or zero emission-capable) and my Department’s long-term vision for the decarbonisation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Obligation Data (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: Since 2010 however there is no PSO subvention paid directly by my Department to transport operators.  The award and subvention of PSO contracts now falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has direct responsibility for this area and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's Question to the NTA for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 427, 439 and 440 together. Each year the Department prepares and lodges in the Dáil Library regional and local road grant allocation and end of year payment booklets. Details of the regional and local road allocations for 2017 are, therefore, available in the Dáil Library.  The total allocation for 2017 is €324.3...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network Expansion (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 428 and 429 together. As the Deputy is aware, funding of over €700 million has been allocated under the Government’s present Capital Plan 2016-2021 for planning, design and construction of new Metro North. Funding in the initial years of the Capital Plan is for planning and design work with construction work commencing in 2021 and passenger...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network Expansion (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 431 together. As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035 proposes implementation of the DART Expansion Programme. The original cost of the overall DART Expansion Programme (including the DART Underground Tunnel element) was estimated at €4 billion, of which €3...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Expenditure (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), formerly the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (29 Nov 2017)

Shane Ross: Full details on the allocations for each of my Department's subheads for 2018 will be set out, as usual, in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV).  In the meantime my Department is in discussion with relevant agencies regarding the details of allocations. The Government has also proposed that a ten year national investment plan will be set out which will take account of the National...