Results 10,221-10,240 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Expenditure Programme (28 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: In 2017 the Department has allocated €2.5m to the Green Public Transport Fund to support the uptake of low carbon technologies within the public transport sector. The fund will support pilot demonstrations of emerging low emission technologies, particularly within the public transport bus fleet, and will also support measures to encourage the transition of the national taxi fleet...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Fleet (28 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The issues raised are matters for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question 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: Traffic Management (28 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I recognise that there is considerable evidence emerging of increased travel demand across the Dublin region in general, with growing traffic levels on many of the region's roads and streets. The increase in the number in employment has impacted on transport through the beginning of a recovery in public transport numbers, but also through increased car use and the re-emergence of peak period...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (28 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: 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 the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.  Within its capital budget,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Funding (28 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Funding is allocated for cycling infrastructure and initiatives under a number of different programmes administered both directly by my Department and by the National Transport Authority (NTA).  Under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme, my Department provides funding to the NTA for the seven local authorities in the Greater Dublin Area for the implementation of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Wild Atlantic Way Project (28 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 778 and 779 together. The Programme for Partnership Government provides that the Government will set aside €100 million in additional capital funding for a number of projects, including the Wild Atlantic Way, an Atlantic Blueway route, the Ireland Way, development of a nationwide Greenway network, and a doubling of the the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services Provision (28 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The McCann Report referred to in the Programme for Government commitment on the Western Rail Corridor was submitted to the then Minister for Transport in 2005 and concluded that there was a strong case for the restoration of significant sections of the Western Rail Corridor and outlined four phases for restoration.  Phase one of the corridor from Ennis to Athenry was...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Airports (28 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: The commitment in respect of the extra €10 million for the regional airports is currently part of the mid-term review of the Capital Plan, as are other commitments of a capital nature in the Programme for Government, which was commenced recently by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department is examining all areas of capital expenditure...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Smarter Transport (28 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: ​The overarching goals contained in the Smarter Travel Policy 2009-2020 remain the cornerstone of our transport policy.  This is recognised and reflected in the Programme for Partnership Government where we commit to ensuring that the €3.6 billion investment in the public transport system provided for in the present Capital Plan will uphold the principles...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roadworthiness Testing (28 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Having considered the Road Safety Authority's (RSA) report, I have accepted their recommendation for a rolling forty-year roadworthiness testing exemption, from 2020 onwards, coupled with a reduced requirement (biennial rather than annual) for the compulsory testing of all vehicles aged between thirty and forty years old. In the interim period, up to 2020, subject to amending Regulations, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Authority Expenditure (28 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding for transport. I am advised that of the total amount of €23m allocated for the STMG programme in 2016, the NTA allocated €1.05m of this to Fingal County Council.  The information supplied to the Deputy by the NTA indicates that Fingal County Council only...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tribunals of Inquiry Data (28 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: ​While I am unsure about the exact timeframe the Deputy is referring to, I can confirm that since 1991 the only inquiry my Department has been involved in is The Moran inquiry .  The Moran inquiry into ticketing issues at the Olympic Games was announced on 19th August 2016. It began its work on 19 September 2016 and is expected to complete its work on 31...

Topical Issues Debate: Road Projects (23 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Deputy Smith is creative. I do not know the answer to his question about the Cohesion Funds but I will undertake to pursue it with my colleague at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to see if that is available. The Deputy is talking about after 2020. I see no reason why we should not look at that possibility. I do not know whether it will be so. I appreciate the case the...

Topical Issues Debate: Road Network (23 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Undoubtedly, the Deputy has made a good case for the road concerned and I am aware that it runs through his constituency. I have addressed that already. It is a matter for TII, although it can feature in the mid-term capital review. Obviously, the Deputy will make a submission and I will make certain recommendations to it as well. He must understand, and I am not in any sense denigrating...

Topical Issues Debate: Road Network (23 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: -----that must be taken as a priority. I consider road safety more important in some respects than the condition of the roads. If there is a case to be made where there is evidence of fatalities on a road and there are identifiable black spots, it is something we will have to consider a top priority when we are examining the allocation of money for roads. I will give the road in question...

Topical Issues Debate: Road Projects (23 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Brendan Smith for raising this issue. The consistency with which he has raised issues relating to the Border area indicates that whatever Members on the opposite side of House say about the Government, the Deputy is readying people for Brexit and is warning realistically about the dangers for the Border area and the need for infrastructure there. I cannot say how many times...

Topical Issues Debate: Road Network (23 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and for making a particularly strong case on the grounds of safety and efficiency. I was struck by the fact that Deputy Byrne said six people have died. I was unable to work out the period to which he referred.

Topical Issues Debate: Road Network (23 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: That is utterly unacceptable and I take the Deputy's point that it is a spectacularly tragic figure. I took a commencement matter in the Seanad concerning the N2 on 7 February. I am happy to reiterate the points I made at that debate. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding relating to the national roads programme. The...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects (23 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I would like to clarify that the planning and execution of construction works on the N52 and any other national route are operational matters in which I have no function. As 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 construction works on individual national roads...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects (23 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: As I said, I will bring the Senator's road safety concerns to the attention of TII. In light of the current precarious position of road traffic and passengers in this country safety is an important issue.