Results 8,401-8,420 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services Provision (26 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: The DART Underground Tunnel (previously known as the DART Interconnector) project is a key element of integrated transport for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the GDA and the NTA's Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035 proposes implementation of the overall DART...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services Provision (26 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Rail plays an important role in meeting increased passenger demand and also providing an energy-efficient mode of transport. Electrified rail use, in particular, is capable of achieving low emissions through utilising renewable sources of energy. Considerable progress has been achieved in increasing capacity on the light and heavy rail networks. For instance, the Luas Cross...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (26 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I am not aware at present of any plans to purchase new rail rolling stock. In any event Iarnród Éireann operates the heavy rail network and is responsible for assessing rolling stock requirements for the heavy rail network in conjunction with the NTA. Noting the responsibilities of the agencies in this regard, I have referred the Deputy's question to both NTA and Iarnród...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Data (26 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1420 to 1422, inclusive, together. Accessibility features are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and new systems such as the Luas are fully accessible. In addition, 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets are wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 80% of the Bus...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services Provision (26 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a response has not been received within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Data (26 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​No staff are currently suspended from their employment in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Budgets (26 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: Overall expenditure to end June is €660m which is €15m ahead of profiled spend. Current spend is €28m below profile, mainly due to timing issues in relation to a number of subheads. Capital expenditure is ahead by over €44m due to faster than anticipated spends on a number of projects. I am pleased to say that progress on the Luas Cross City is more advanced...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Protected Disclosures Data (26 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: My Department received no protected disclosures from Staff within the Department in 2016. I will forward any details of protected disclosures received from staff in 2017 within the Department in the next 10 working days. The Deputy can find details on all protected disclosures received in my Department from the entry into force of the 2014 Act to end-2016 on my Departments website at the...

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Greenways Development (20 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: It is nice to be here even if it is to take four Commencement matters in a row, which is probably a record for the Seanad. I hope my record will never be beaten. I thank Senator Craughwell for bringing this matter to the House and giving me an opportunity to address same. I know that he is, as I am, a great believer in both the railways and greenways. He has been a champion of both but...

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Greenways Development (20 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Senator Craughwell. I will do that shortly. I would be delighted to be taken around by Deputy Canney, who is a colleague of mine, and also if Senator Craughwell wants to come himself or if any of the local councillors want to come to meet me there when I will see for myself what the problem is.

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Shannon Airport Facilities (20 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Senator Gavan for bringing this important matter to the attention of the House. I will answer it as comprehensively as I can.A large number of people have derived an enormous amount of amusement from quoting things I have said in the Dáil when in opposition, which they think I will find difficult to reconcile with what I am doing in government. I understand that. I will do my...

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Shannon Airport Facilities (20 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I do not really have very much to add; I am sorry about that. I cannot comment on whether a matter is coincidence or not. It really is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Road Network (20 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this matter this morning.I have already addressed the issue of the N2 a number of times this year on Topical Issue matters, Commencement matters and in reply to parliamentary questions. I am pleased to reiterate these points this morning and to share the Senator's concern about the collisions and the number of fatalities, of which the Senator said there...

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Road Network (20 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: Senator Gallagher has made a fine case. I will ask my Department to look into the collisions aspect of what he said.

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Air Safety (20 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Senator John O'Mahony for raising this issue which, as he will be aware, is both topical and sensitive. I will try and address the individual matters which he referred to. I do not know the answer to the question pertaining to Achill Island, but I will try to get it for the Senator, if that is appropriate.

Seanad: Business of Seanad: Air Safety (20 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I reassure the Senator and the aviation community that the issue of charts has been addressed adequately. I understand the public alarm that has been raised by various media reports on recent events. It is useful that the media cover such incidents, but it is also important that I reassure people on matters, as they stand. While I understand the general background to the matter raised, it...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Drug and Alcohol Testing (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Since the introduction of prelimary testing of drivers for drugs last April, there has been some misreporting of what is involved, which has caused unnecessary worry to some people. I made clear on the launch of these measures that people should always take their medication as needed.  At the same time, if that medication causes side-effects which might impair their driving,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Airport Authority (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The daa has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport, including the North Runway Project.  I have therefore forwarded your question to daa for their attention and direct reply to you.  If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a statutory matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. My understanding...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The information requested by the Deputy is available on my Departments website at the following link .  The information is updated every 6 months. It is currently being collated for the period January 2017 to June 2017 and will be published as soon as this process is complete.