Results 9,621-9,640 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I am not certain but I do not think so.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: Okay.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I will deal with Deputy Troy's question first.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: If I understand his question correctly, an electric vehicle task force has been set up to consider situations such as the one the Deputy mentioned when he spoke about motor taxation going down as the number of electric cars go up. I understand that is what the Deputy is really talking about. The task force is sitting at the moment and has been set up to examine this and other issues. We...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: That is exactly right.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: A figure is agreed every year. It is not a set figure and it is not based on anything exact. It is negotiated every year. I think it was €370 million last year.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: It is a very small amount. We went through that yesterday. It is a very small adjustment. I will find out for the Deputy but what he is referring to is a very small amount.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I think the reduction went to subhead B8. That is what happened. I think it moved to subhead B8. It is almost exactly the same amount and it was not lost to the environmental thing, smarter travel initiatives. We are talking about really tiny amounts. We are talking about €11 million on each. It is just short of €11 million in subhead B8 and just over €11 million in...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I think it is happening at the moment and I think the NTA is promoting them as part of its promotion of public transport. If there is an area in which they are not operating properly, I ask the Deputy to let me know.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I think the Leap card is being rolled out incrementally and in urban areas first. The Deputy is probably right if he is referring to rural areas, but that is by design rather than by accident. It will happen.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: Programme C concerns the maritime programme. I will introduce it very briefly. As I mentioned already, the bulk of the expenditure allocated under the maritime programme is to fund the Irish Coast Guard. I again express my deep condolences and sincere sympathies to all those affected by the tragedy which occurred near Blacksod, particularly the family members of the crew of Rescue 116. I...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I am absolutely at one with the Deputy about the fine work the Coast Guard does, and a cut would be inappropriate. According to the figures I have here on the current, it has gone up. I do not know from where she has got her figures.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The figure has increased from €72.895 million to €73.395 million. That is an increase of €500,000. Anyway, not to worry. It is marginal.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: To which issues is the Deputy referring?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: Is the Deputy talking about the lack of regulation?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I am satisfied that the current operations of the Coast Guard search and rescue, pollution response and voluntary activity are adequately supported by the State. That said, we are seeking additional staffing resources to support the Irish Coast Guard, IRCG, in the delivery of its service on our coast. It is constantly under review but at the moment it is adequately funded.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I have addressed this question. I think it was Deputy Munster who addressed a question on the matter to me in the Dáil the other day. I have no plans to put the Coast Guard on a statutory basis. Some members of the Coast Guard, albeit I think a very small minority, are interested in this, and I have said I would be happy to meet them and talk to them about it, but I am advised by my...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I will be perfectly honest about this. I do not think I myself have had any direct approach from them, despite the fact that everybody else has. I may be mistaken but I am not aware of it. However, that does not really matter. I told Deputy Munster last week, I think in the Dáil, and I repeat it to the committee that I am happy to meet them. I have not been convinced by the case...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: While the sports programme at face value shows a decrease of €18 million to €108 million, this fall relates to once-off stimulus funding for the development of the national indoor arena, which created a spike in 2016. On the current side, funding associated with Rio preparations in 2016 has also been retained in the current-side baseline for 2017 and beyond. In total, there...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (29 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I will take the national arena first. As I said, the sports programme shows a decrease of €18 million to €108 million and this relates to the once-off stimulus funding for the development of the national indoor arena which created that spike in 2016. I share Deputy Fitzpatrick's desire for the second phase. It has got to be properly completed. It is targeted as a priority in...