Results 8,641-8,660 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Promotion (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: The Deputy and I are on the same wavelength in respect of this issue. Fáilte Ireland has bought into this project, probably because it has to do so. I do not mean that in a pejorative way or that it would not have done so in any event but the fact that the commitment is in the programme for Government means it cannot be ignored or dropped. I am one of the guardians of the programme...

Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Promotion (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Burke for raising this extremely important matter. He knows that the programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a brand such as that referred to. I am pleased to be able to update the House on the progress being made by Fáilte Ireland in the development of a branding strategy for the midlands. I do not have a copy of my script for the Deputy but I will...

Other Questions: Olympic Council of Ireland (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: If I am wrong about this, I apologise. I think the Attorney General got the letter simultaneously with me so I do not think there is any differential there. I will let the Deputy know when the Attorney General reports to me. I know it will not necessarily be available in the public arena immediately because I will not be taking questions here again for a long time. I know the Deputy has...

Other Questions: Olympic Council of Ireland (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: That is affair question. We should have that contingency. We should anticipate whatever might be said by the Attorney General. If he says we should not release the report under any circumstances, we would have to consider that very seriously. The knock-on effect that would have on Sport Ireland funding the OCI would have to be considered as a matter of urgency and consequent action should...

Other Questions: State Airports (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for her question. Shannon Airport Authority, SAA, a subsidiary of Shannon Group, has statutory responsibility for the management and operation of Shannon Airport and as such the issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the company. Within that context, I will try to be helpful, but that should be acknowledged. That said, there is no proposal to...

Other Questions: State Airports (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: There might be a slight confusion about categorisation. The Deputy is right that Shannon Airport is proposing to operate at category 7 when no category 9 services are flying through the airport and to flex up to category 9 when category 9 services are scheduled to operate through the airport. Operating at category 9 on a flexible basis, rather than operating permanently at that level 24-7...

Other Questions: State Airports (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: Shannon Airport has no designated status as a diversionary airport. The airport is, however, an "extended range operation with two-engine aeroplanes" approved airport, capable of accepting diversionary traffic, including in emergencies. In instances where the airport is not operating to category 9, airlines are required to declare an alternative airport in case of emergency, prior to...

Other Questions: EU Directives (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: I can always depend on Deputy Troy to come in on the back of a question where he thinks there is a vulnerability. It is a pity he did not ask the question himself. I will certainly answer Deputy Daly as fully as I can.

Other Questions: EU Directives (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: Of course the Deputy is permitted to do many things. I am just commenting on the opportunities and initiatives which he takes and that it is a pity he did not ask, or think to ask, the question himself.

Other Questions: EU Directives (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: Of course I am embarrassed by this. I am acutely embarrassed by this because the Deputy is correct, she has been asking for 16 months. She has probably been asking this question since before I came into office. The answer I give to her is this - if it is with the lawyers, it is with the lawyers. As the Deputy can see from the letter which came back, I am harassing the Attorney General to...

Other Questions: EU Directives (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: I am not.

Other Questions: EU Directives (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: I am not.

Other Questions: EU Directives (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: It should be sorted before the recess, I agree. I will provide copies, yes. The moment I get that, I will let the Deputy know. I assure her of that. I will let her know the moment I do because I am aware of the fact that she cannot ask another question for a long time. I will certainly let her know immediately. On the issue of whether it will be secondary or primary legislation, if...

Other Questions: Olympic Council of Ireland (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: It could be. ​I thank the Deputy for her question. I hope it will not develop into a serious problem. It may do if it is allowed to fester and this situation is allowed to continue. I take her point. I am aware that Sport Ireland has not as yet allocated funding for the Olympic Council of Ireland, OCI, in respect of 2017. I can advise the Deputy that the position...

Other Questions: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: I hope that I have not stepped on a hornet's nest by being agreeable.

Other Questions: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: I will not give Deputy Ó Cuív a hostage to fortune by making a commitment of €5 million or any other figure. He would not expect me to.

Other Questions: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: I will not do it. If a way of matching funds and reopening the LIS can be found, I am prepared to consider it. We are committed to going down that road. It was included in the programme for Government and is intended to be an early beneficiary of economic recovery. On the Deputy's prompting, I would be happy to speak with the Minister, Deputy Ring, about the issues that Deputies Ó...

Other Questions: EU Directives (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: I am sorry, as this is the second time that I have had to apologise to the Deputy. This issue is not yet resolved even though it should have been. We had hoped to resolve it much earlier than this. We have had a few false dawns. In anticipation of the Deputy's question, I met the Attorney General yesterday and asked him what was happening with the issue. He replied this morning, telling...

Other Questions: Tourism Industry (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: To respond first to Deputy Munster, I do not know if she is asking that any specific areas be targeted. Does she have in mind County Louth?

Other Questions: Tourism Industry (28 Jun 2017)

Shane Ross: Some of those areas are in Ireland's Ancient East, which is a great success story. As the Deputy is aware, I do not get involved in operational matters or tell Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland how to run their business. I will, however, convey to both agencies the sentiments the Deputy expressed. If she thinks of a specific area with significant tourism potential which has not been...