Results 10,001-10,020 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Topical Issue Debate: Traffic Management (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for raising this question. I am sorry that he has not found the written responses adequate but I will try to elaborate on them. Before I address the matter specifically, the Deputy should realise that the problem of traffic congestion in Dublin is extraordinarily difficult because of the volatility of what has been happening with traffic congestion, traffic numbers and...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank all the Senators who have contributed so far to this debate and those who are going to do so shortly. Many of the arguments that were made, particularly on the Sinn Féin side, are convincing and have great merit. I have absolutely no doubt about that. I have reservations, however, about spooking the entire industry when targeting it for what are undoubtedly wrongs,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Insurance Coverage (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The issues raised are primarily operational matters for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). I have referred the Deputy's question to the IAA for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days. I have been informed by the Minister for Finance that his attention has not been previously drawn to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Details of the regional and local road grant payments to local authorities for the period 2014-2016 are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library. Details of the 2017 regional and local road grant allocations to each County Council are also available in the Dáil library. Regional and Local Road allocations...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Toll Operators (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I am responsible for overall policy for the commercial ports sector and the corporate governance of the commercial port companies operating under the Harbours Acts 1996 to 2015. The core objective of National Ports Policy is to facilitate a competitive and effective market for maritime transport services. National Ports Policy also clearly...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The decision to pay a dividend to the Minister as shareholder is entirely a matter for the Board of a port company, which takes this decision, based on their assessment of what is best for the company, in discharge of their fiduciary duties under the Companies Acts. In reaching such a decision the Board must be cognisant of the cash position of the company, not overexposing the company to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: As Minister, I have no involvement in the day to day operations of the commercial port companies. The financial management of the commercial ports and their subsidiaries is a matter for the port companies concerned. I understand from Drogheda Port Company that the company has not made a financial provision against its share, loan and credit investment in its subsidiary company. Drogheda...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Facilities (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Ports have a number of different methods of organising stevedoring services. Some ports licence private operators to provide this service, while others provide stevedoring services through subsidiary companies in competition with private sector parties. The model chosen and the advantages conferred on the ports sector by the various models, are...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legal Proceedings (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​Legal proceedings are being taken by a number of pensioners of the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS) against Ireland and the Attorney General. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, together with other relevant Departments, are assisting the Attorney General's Office in defending this action. As the matter is the subject of on-going legal...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 (including sections of the N2 road scheme) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: ​I am of course aware that Bus Éireann has recently announced service alterations to a small number of Expressway services, including route 33 Dublin to Derry. The Deputy is no doubt aware that Expressway services are commercial services operated by Bus Éireann and licensed under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. These routes are not eligible for any...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the local authority's own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Kildare is the statutory responsibility of Kildare County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of projects (including future projects)...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Applications (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme. All of the 2,320 applications received under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme will be assessed by officials in my Department over the coming months.  An announcement regarding allocations will be made later this year.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Project Funding (8 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy.  It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects.  These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.  While the Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism offerings,...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Network (7 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Eugene Murphy for his invitation. I am terrified of accepting invitations in this House because it causes turmoil. People expect me to keep to those commitments. At some stage, I will visit but I ask the Deputy not to hold me to a date. I would be delighted to see the area in question. The Deputy is kicking an open door when he talks to me about safety. I hope he will...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Network (7 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Eugene Murphy for the opportunity to address this important and very interesting matter. As the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding of the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Roads...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Airports (7 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: The Programme for Government commitment is to provide an additional €10 million over the lifetime of the Capital Plan to support the four regional airports which of course includes Waterford Airport, along with the airports in Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock and Kerry. This commitment, together with other Programme for Government commitments of a capital...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Alternative Energy Projects (7 Mar 2017)

Shane Ross: Over the coming years, a transition to alternatively-fuelled vehicles will be required to effect a substantial reduction in Ireland's overall transport emissions. My Department recently developed a draft national policy framework for alternative fuels infrastructure - in line with the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (2014/94/EU) - and carried out a public consultation from 27...