Results 10,381-10,400 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Other Questions: Traffic Management (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: That is my fault. I had thought all Deputies were invited. I apologise for that. I will come again. If Deputy Connolly wants to meet me, then I would be delighted. I became somewhat familiar with some of the problems when I was there. I recognise that they are serious and that there is a role for the State. Certainly, we should recognise the problems there in a tangible way. ...

Other Questions: Fáilte Ireland Staff (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Kelly for tabling this topical, useful and relevant question. The cost of the recruitment process is a matter for the organisation in question. In this case, the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, did not require or seek my approval for costs associated with the recruitment of the new chief executive officer. This is a matter for the authority. ...

Other Questions: Fáilte Ireland Staff (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I thought it might be helpful for the Deputy to know, if he does not already know, that the advertising cost €23,972, including VAT, and recruitment cost €34,594.

Other Questions: Fáilte Ireland Staff (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Of course the authority could have used the Public Appointments Service. Fáilte Ireland was perfectly at liberty to do so. However, the authority is also at liberty to go outside PAS. It is not necessarily always the right course to go through PAS. If an organisation is looking for a particular type of person, it could use an agency specialising in that area. We leave these...

Other Questions: Driver Licences Data (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: We intend to address the issue in legislation this year. Although I probably will not be around for it, I have an ambition to introduce a master licence record of a very sophisticated nature. Maybe it will not be this year. Information on that will be available and checkable on one record or computer system. That will include vehicles, drivers, licences, insurance, tax, national car tax...

Other Questions: Driver Licences Data (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I do not know how to respond to that. I am not sure it is a road traffic question. Nevertheless, any compliment from the Deputy is most welcome.

Other Questions: Driver Licences Data (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Thank you. There are many holes that need to be plugged. It is quite staggering how the records on insurance - who is insured or not - are a shambles. As I am sure the Deputy is aware, under a system abandoned in 2014, people were coming up in the automatic number plate recognition system as being uninsured when they had just changed insurance companies. Perhaps that is one of the reasons...

Other Questions: Traffic Management (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Connolly for her question. As Minister, I have responsibility for policy and funding relating to public transport. Traffic management in Galway and other cities is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. I am advised by the National Transport Authority, NTA, that a transport strategy for Galway city was prepared by the National Transport Authority in...

Other Questions: Noise Pollution Legislation (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: The Deputy has a point about the delay. I regret the delay, which has arisen because the legal aspects of this matter are being looked at. I said I hoped to have it done by the end of the year. It is now five or six weeks late. I suppose in some ways it is indicative of the fact that the Office of the Attorney General is determined to ensure the rights of the people represented by Deputy...

Other Questions: Noise Pollution Legislation (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Deputy Troy is right when he says there is a need for urgency. We need to get the second runway going because the airport is running at close to full capacity and could be running over capacity if we are not very careful. While I absolutely accept the need for urgency, I emphasise that there are conflicting rights here. Obviously, the Irish nation has the right to have a fully working...

Other Questions: Noise Pollution Legislation (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Does the Deputy want them to be on that board as well?

Other Questions: Noise Pollution Legislation (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: We will take one step at a time.

Other Questions: Driver Licences Data (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Broughan for his important question, which relates an issue that needs to be addressed. I think the failure to co-ordinate information sufficiently is having an adverse effect on road safety. The licensing master plan that is to be introduced, as the Deputy knows, will assist in the fight against road deaths. The RSA is the licensing authority with responsibility for the...

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I see the Deputy's point but it goes back to funding. That is the problem and a compelling case has to be made if anything of that nature is to qualify for funding. I would very much like to help the Deputy. The National Roads Authority procured consultants in 2001 to carry out a strategic study of the development of an east-west link road. The consultants were to report on the merits...

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputies Niamh Smyth and Brendan Smith for their special pleading, which is perfectly legitimate. This is what happens all the time, particularly in respect of roads. I do not want to give them any encouragement because the constraints on the purse are so huge but I understand the real problems in the Border areas, particularly in the light of Brexit. The Deputies have made a good...

Other Questions: Noise Pollution Legislation (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: ​On 22 September last, I announced details of the manner in which EU Regulation 598/2014, on the establishment of rules and procedures with regard to the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions is to be implemented in Ireland. As I explained previously, this will require the introduction of a statutory instrument, which will see the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, as...

Priority Questions: Bus Éireann (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I certainly cannot say the same thing to Deputy Clare Daly as I said to Deputy Barry. At least she takes a different angle in respect of the matter. I will not do what she would like me to do. I understand that people maintain that one person's precondition is another person's statement prior to getting down to talks. What I will do is ask both parties to be realistic and request that...

Priority Questions: Bus Éireann (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Perhaps I can be helpful in some ways. I accept that, in policy terms, the Government has a role as the shareholder. I have said this before and I will say it again if it is at all helpful: I will not, prior to this dispute being settled, assemble a forum because it would only become dragged into the dispute. However, I make it quite clear that once the industrial relations dispute is...

Priority Questions: Bus Éireann (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Let me make this clear. It probably would be helpful. I am not sure of the merits of it but I am prepared to give it a try. I am certainly not, as some people would portray me, in any way opposed to meeting the unions. I am very happy to meet them but not in the midst of an industrial dispute for reasons to which I have already alluded. Let me make it clear to them again that they should...

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (8 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Niamh Smyth for her question. Proposals to deliver an upgraded route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially, the route involves upgrade or realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo....