Results 1,021-1,040 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Vehicles (26 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 423 together. The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test Waiting Lists (26 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: As this is a matter for the Road Safety Authority I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Services (26 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: The Coast Guard withdrew the services of its in-shore rescue boats stationed at 23 locations around the coast on Friday last, 15 November 2019. This action was taken following a reported malfunction of a number of lifejackets which are a key piece of personal protective equipment.  An investigation is underway into the malfunctioning lifejackets which involves the Coast Guard, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Policy (26 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I was gravely concerned following the coverage and debate regarding alleged cruel practices within Ireland’s greyhound industry. One of the issues that arose as a result was the promotion of greyhound racing by our tourism agencies. Consequently, while the process of investigating and addressing issues was underway in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (26 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on regional and local roads are funded by local authorities' own resources supplemented by State grants. Within the overall resources available to it, the selection and prioritisation of works including the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Provision (26 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, including cycling infrastructure. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the allocation of funding at project level and for the implementation of cycle network plans across our major cities. I can advise the Deputy that, since...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (26 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.  I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Road Network (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I will take what the Deputy has said into account when considering these allocations. The good news obviously is that I anticipate an increase to be announced in January. I cannot make any specific promises about where that money will go, but obviously it is a matter of great importance for the Deputy's area and others. We need to recognise that the size of the national, regional and local...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Transport Authority Staff (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: Okay.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Transport Authority Staff (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: My Department has been working closely with the NTA about strengthening its staffing position so that it is robust and sustainable. It is essential that the NTA is adequately resourced to successfully deliver its pipeline of key strategic infrastructure projects. These are large in scale and ambition, for example, BusConnects, MetroLink and the DART expansion. The NTA is resourced by a mix...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Transport Authority Staff (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I think what we will do is get back to topic. The NTA has a low number of permanent staff with the biggest increase taking place in 2018 when 114 permanent staff were employed, compared with 91 for each of the previous years. In December 2018, the NTA received delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for 140 permanent staff for 2019, an increase of 26 on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: The decision taken by the Taoiseach while Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport was forced upon him by financial circumstances. I have no doubt that he did not wish to make the decision he did. The Deputy is aware that the LIS is back in existence. The maintenance of roads not taken in charge by local authorities is the responsibility of the relevant landowners. However, section 81...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I understand what the Deputy is seeking. We have a situation which was probably not envisaged some years ago, namely, that another Minister has introduced funding for the LIS. I am open to discussions with the Minister, Deputy Ring, regarding the LIS and how it is being implemented. I must be conscious of the fact that funding for public roads remains below the level needed to achieve...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: The LIS has not gone away. In fact, it has been revived. Since 2017, the Department of Rural and Community Development has allocated significant funds to it. In 2017, €17.539 million was allocated, €20.8 million in 2018 and €10 million so far in 2019, giving a total of €48 million. A very substantial amount of funding has been allocated to the LIS. The Deputy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Road Network (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: As I indicated in response to a previous question from Deputy MacSharry, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on these roads are funded from local authorities' own resources, supplemented by State road grants. Regional and local road...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Projects Status (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I could go on.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Policy (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Butler for taking this question on behalf of Deputy Browne, who constantly asks me about this issue and pursues it with a welcome vigour. Rosslare Europort is unique among the State-owned ports as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts, but is instead operated on a commercial basis as a division of Iarnród Éireann. Technically, the port...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Policy (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I have some sympathy with what the Deputy says, although I do not think the way the port operates creates any great obstructions. The structure of the port is strange and dates back over 150 years. If Deputy Butler or Deputy Browne has any concrete evidence that that structure is causing problems, I would be happy to ask my officials to examine the matter with a view to introducing...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Policy (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I am not unsympathetic to Deputies who make the case for the south east. Developments in the region are promising and I continue to encourage them in any way I can. The opportunities for Rosslare Port are recognised by the proposed investment of €25 million by Iarnród Éireann. That investment is a vote of confidence in Rosslare Port and its future. Brexit is not a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Projects Status (21 Nov 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for his question. This is a project in which he is particularly interested and he has raised it on numerous occasions. I will try to update him on what is a moving target but one that is not moving fast enough. The planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities. As is the case for all such capital projects,...