Results 10,981-11,000 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: Unfortunately, there is a real and continuing problem of learners who persist in driving unaccompanied. The question of the responsibility of car owners who knowingly allow learners to drive their cars was raised recently by the family of Geraldine and Louise Clancy, who were tragically killed in an incident for which an unaccompanied learner driver was found responsible. I have given some...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I will accept an amendment on the issue. I do not know why the Deputies assume I would not. Deputies Brendan Ryan and Imelda Munster proposed amendments to make it an offence for the owner of a vehicle to allow the vehicle to be driven by an unaccompanied learner. Deputy Tommy Broughan has also proposed measures regarding insurance and unaccompanied learners. It raises a very important...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I understand what Deputy Robert Troy is getting at. I am not, however, inclined to agree with him because of the unintended consequences of this and because it is in the wrong Bill. I am somewhat surprised it is in the Bill at all and it was permitted. However, it is there because two of these particular amendments come under the Taxi Regulation Act. The issue will not be resolved just by...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I think Deputy Munster used the phrase "if I was not opposed to it". I am not opposed to anything the Deputies have said here. I will accept an amendment later but there are very good reasons this amendment cannot be accepted, although that is regrettable. I agree with the sentiments expressed by Deputy Crowe and by others. This is a...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: Obviously, I share the House's wish to get this important Bill finished. Every day that it is delayed there is the potential for loss of life but I do not want to make it bad legislation by rushing it through. We have debated quite a lot of this previously but there are important issues here, particularly in this amendment. Deputy Munster's request is reasonable. I will certainly ask...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Munster for that. The Deputy can be sure that she will get a report within a year about how this is working, particularly the 20 km/h option, and how it is being exercised by local authorities.

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy who is right. I do have a certain advantage in that I have officials beside me to brief me, but it is necessary, particularly in areas which are so complicated, to have people advise me on issues, although not on policy, on which I am at one with the Deputy on this issue. We are all together on policy. They advise me on the consequences of something which has been...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: On a point of order, how much time do I have in this slot? Do I have ten minutes or another amount?

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: No, that is alright. I thank the Ceann Comhairle. As I had only just begun my response to these amendments when we ran out of time yesterday, I would like to begin by again thanking both Deputies Troy and Munster for tabling these amendments to extend the list of drugs listed in the Bill. I am fully sympathetic with their intent and I do believe the list will grow in the future. I...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Improvement Schemes (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I am aware that there was a recent accident at Tower Hill junction between Piltown and Fiddown. This junction was the subject of an accident improvement project a number of years ago and the safety section of Transport Infrastructure Ireland is, as the Deputy knows, reviewing the junction in conjunction with the county council to see if further improvements can be implemented. We do need...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Improvement Schemes (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I am sure that has something to do with it. I find it extremely flattering that he would ask me to do so and I see absolutely no reason why I should not come down. If it is anywhere near the Tipperary border, I will nip over and see Deputy Mattie McGrath as well, who is also happy down there. If there is a safety issue, it is important that it is addressed by a Minister. I will look at...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Improvement Schemes (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy McGuinness for raising this important Topical Issue matter. As he knows, I will meet Deputies from the area in question tomorrow. This is a matter that concerns them all. I know the Deputy has raised it on their behalf today. Before I refer to the scripted reply, I think it is reasonable for me to say that the Deputy has made a fairly compelling case. I intend to tell the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (14 Dec 2016)

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 operation of individual national road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (14 Dec 2016)

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 operation of individual national road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry Regulation (14 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: Being generally not suited to international transport operations, five axle non-articulated trucks (rigids) are a relatively recent phenomenon on Irish roads. Across the EU there is no maximum weight 'norm' for such vehicles and a lacuna in Ireland's Construction and Use Regulations has meant that a maximum weight limit for such vehicles has hitherto remained unstipulated. It is...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputies for the contributions they made this evening and throughout the debate on the Bill, which has been addressed in a pretty non-partisan way, which is healthy. People realise the importance and urgency of this. Deputy Troy referred to it quite rightly when he said this is a matter of saving lives. All it is about is saving lives and saving people from injuries and...

Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Environmental Policy (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​My Department has not considered introducing a ban on diesel vehicles. Policy in relation to alternative fuels and air quality falls primarily within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment. Our Departments work together closely on matters of mutual interest. Ireland has expressed its intention, through a national...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: At present, the maximum penalty for drink driving offences is six months in prison and a fine of up to €5,000.  There is also a consequential disqualification which is based on a scale, depending on the level of alcohol and whether or not it is a first offence.  Disqualifications on this scale range from a minimum of 6 months to a minimum of 6 years. The 10-year sentence...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (13 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: The Northern Rail Line plays an important role in linking communities North and South of the Border.  I met with Northern Ireland's Infrastructure Minister, Chris Hazzard, on Monday the 12 December under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council.  This provided an opportunity to further develop co-operation between our respective Departments on strategic...