Results 10,721-10,740 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I see no reason why the same openness should not be attached to one as to another.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: There are two conflicting forces. There is a prima facieargument that they should be in the public domain because public money is involved. I understand that some of them will be released in next year's annual report. There is a conflict which, I have to be honest, I have not even resolved myself . It is a conflict relating to whether severance payments, which are sometimes - often rightly...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Yes, I understand.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: It is fair to say that some of the pay-offs, severance payments and redundancy money transacted under cover have been rather obscene. That is something we could not countenance or tolerate for long. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform oversees the code of practice for State bodies. I gather that a new provision is coming along to the effect that payments of this sort will not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Let me think about monetary compensation. It is an interesting suggestion. I imagine the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, would be interested to hear about it as well. We might put it on the table when we are talking to him about other things. It is his baby, really, but it is an interesting suggestion. You are referring to people who never use the scheme but who are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: It might be a consideration for outlying areas. That is a suggestion that could go-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Yes, of course.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: Yes. I have no wish to say anything to suggest that we are going to clamp down on or reduce free travel in any way. There is absolutely no question of it. We are not going to do that. However, I understand the point the Chairman is making. The new public service cards are helping. In the main, it is a matter for the Department of Social Protection. I imagine the Chairman will make...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: It is a question to which I do not know the answer because it is not my responsibility. This is something that happens a good deal. Responsibility rests with the board of management but I can discover for the Chairman what is the position. We can ask about it and see what is happening. I note what was said last week. It was obviously a management responsibility that was being taken very...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I am glad the Deputy asked that question. Insurance premiums, from memory, leapt from €1.9 million to €6.5 million in one year. Those are approximately the correct figures. They are very worrying. The Deputy has spotted something in the accounts that is obviously a concern. It is a big figure that sticks out a mile when one examines the position in detail. Part, not all,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Marine Safety (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 325 together. The requirements in relation to the wearing of Personal Flotation Devices (lifejackets/buoyancy aids) on pleasure craft are set out in the Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 921 of 2005), as amended by S.I. No. 349 of 2012. I refer the Deputies to my response to Questions Nos. 696...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, Bus Éireann is developing plans to address its financial position. The Company is currently loss-making and these losses are not sustainable. The Company's difficulties stem from its commercial Expressway services which are not subsidised by the taxpayer and operate in competition with other non-subsidised operators. In my recent meetings with the Chair of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Licences Renewals (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including issues pertaining to vehicle standards, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply to him. The Deputy should please advise my private office if he does not receive a response...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together. The issues raised are a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the transport operator and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA 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: Brexit Issues (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: The impact of Brexit on Ireland's economic and trading arrangements has been identified by Government as one of the key priorities in preparing for the EU/UK negotiations. As part of the comprehensive preparatory process undertaken across Government there has been deep analysis of the challenges facing both transport and tourism as a result of the outcome UK Referendum. In relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (1 Feb 2017)

Shane Ross: ​A commercial vehicle, as with any other vehicle must be roadworthy at all times when being used on the public road. Commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing (CVRT) is only one component of the preventative road safety measures we need to have in place in order to ensure safer vehicles on our roads. Given that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the CVRT,...

Bus Éireann: Motion [Private Members] (31 Jan 2017)

Shane Ross: Let me add just one more paragraph as I wish to respond to the Labour Party's amendment. As to the Labour Party concerns about ensuring a level playing field for all operators and avoiding a race to the bottom, there is already a legal framework in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015 to address the issue of sectoral employment orders under that Act. I also urge that the Sinn...

Bus Éireann: Motion [Private Members] (31 Jan 2017)

Shane Ross: I move amendment No. 4:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:recognises that:- Bus Éireann is in serious financial difficulty; - Bus Éireann has stated the company’s finances are in a "perilous state" and that this could lead to job losses unless restructuring proposals are accepted; - a major contributor to the...

Bus Éireann: Motion [Private Members] (31 Jan 2017)

Shane Ross: That is the truth. It is evident in some of the measures that have been taken and some of the pledges involved in the public transport debate.