Results 8,461-8,480 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

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

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1092, 1093 and 1109 together. As the Deputy is aware, while I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme, the planning, design and implementation of individual road projects (such as the N2) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, in conjunction with the local...

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

Shane Ross: ​The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the renewal of the bus fleet in respect of Public Service Obligation (PSO) services operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. Noting the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Staff (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1096 to 1106, inclusive, together. The issues raised are matters for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the Company 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: Tourism Project Funding (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy.  While my Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland for tourism development, it is not directly involved in the management or development of grant schemes or other programmes and supports for individual tourism businesses.  Furthermore, my Department does not have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test Centres (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.  I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

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

Shane Ross: The Tourism Marketing Fund in 2011 was €46.083 million while the 2017 allocation is €35.853 million. The cost of restoring the Marketing Fund to 2011 levels would be €10.23 million (+28.5%) on a full year basis.   The Tourism Action Plan (2016-2018) is committed to seeking to restore the Tourism Marketing Fund to pre-recession levels on a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Housing Policy (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: Officials of my Department's Tourism Division are in discussions with officials in the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in relation to the matters raised, primarily through their participation on the recently established cross-Departmental/Agency Working Group on Short Term Lettings established by the latter Department.  Fáilte Ireland is also...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The release of the latest projections of greenhouse gas emissions by the Environmental Protection Agency illustrates the enormous challenge facing Ireland to reduce our emissions. These projections indicate that emissions from those sectors of the economy not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), including the transport sector, could be between 4% and 6% below 2005 levels...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, the responsibility for emissions reduction is a collective one and Ireland's emission targets are national and not sectoral by nature. It is clear, however, that Transport has an important role to play in reducing the national emissions profile. The legislative framework governing the EU's 2020 emissions reductions targets includes a number of flexibility mechanisms...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Expenditure Programme Review (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: In order for Ireland to effectively and equitably contribute to the EU emissions reduction commitments in line with the Paris Agreement and the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015,an ambitious low-carbon development strategy has been outlined in the soon-to-be-published National Mitigation Plan. As the Deputy may know, I have strongly made the case for increased...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Expenditure (13 Jul 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 national road projects, including those specified by the Deputy, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Skills Shortages (13 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I understand that, following from an independent review commissioned by Fáilte Ireland of its investment in tourism and hospitality education, the Authority has accepted the recommendations put forward including a recommendation to withdraw from its current funding commitments in an orderly manner. As the matter raised is an operational matter for the board and management...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rugby World Cup 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I congratulate the Chairman on his appointment. I look forward to working with him and the committee in the months and, hopefully, years ahead. I thank the committee for handing me on a Minister of State who has been in a very good training ground here for the past year. As the Chairman said, the Bill passed all Stages in the Seanad last night. I am grateful to the committee for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rugby World Cup 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I will answer everyone's questions, whether in written form or such.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rugby World Cup 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: It is in November. A presentation is being made in September, but the actual decision is in early November.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rugby World Cup 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: On the Commonwealth Games, an issue addressed by Senator Frank Feighan, it is a new idea to me. I have never considered it. Is the Senator talking about the 2022 games?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rugby World Cup 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: I do not want to dismiss the idea and will certainly ask my officials to consider it to see what the prospects would be.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rugby World Cup 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: Probably not because the Executive in Belfast would do it for us.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rugby World Cup 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: Let us look at it. I do not have a clue whether it would be a good idea or how feasible it would be. I presume it would be up to the Executive in Belfast to make the bid, but let us explore the idea. I see no reason we should not do so.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rugby World Cup 2023: Discussion (12 Jul 2017)

Shane Ross: The Deputy would not let me do so, but I thank Senators John O'Mahony and Frank Feighan for their huge enthusiasm and energy which I share. I am not here to answer the question about the Moran report, but I will try. The report which I have not seen is with the Attorney General. It was delivered to my office and without seeing it I decided to send it to the Attorney General. Therefore,...