Results 11,041-11,060 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Bodies Data (8 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The information requested by the Deputy relating to State Boards is available on my Department's website at the following link . The overall percentage of female board members currently stands at 27%. I am currently considering means by which the appointment processes can be enhanced to ensure in so far as possible the best appointments are made, in doing so I will...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Staff (8 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together. There are six politically appointed staff in my Department. The information as requested by the Deputy is provided in the table. ​Minister ​Role ​Salary Range ​Minister Ross ​Special Adviser ​€79,401 - €91,624 ​ ​Press Adviser ​​€79,401 -...

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I am not sure of the answer to that question but I will communicate with the Deputy and find out for him if we have any idea. I do not know off the top of my head when this is going to happen. The mid-term capital review, which was in effect launched on Budget day, I would think this would be a good case for the Deputy to make a representation for that and to consider it in that light. The...

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: Deputy Heydon has made a very good case. The traffic congestion at peak times in Athy makes it a compelling candidate for the mid-term capital review.

Other Questions: Road Safety Strategy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: On a point of order, is Deputy Broughan getting two supplementary questions or one?

Other Questions: Road Safety Strategy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I want to be able to give the Deputy a lot of time and want to know how to use the time.

Other Questions: Road Safety Strategy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: My Department's immediate priority for road safety at this time is to ensure the passage of the Road Traffic Bill 2016 through the Oireachtas followed by its speedy enactment, together with the ongoing implementation of the National Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020.  The Road Traffic Bill 2016 contains a series of reforms dealing with drug driving, mutual recognition of driver...

Other Questions: Road Safety Strategy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I am very reluctant to get into any more trouble with the Judiciary than I am already in another sphere by commenting on the Deputy's last remark. There is a need for more consistency in sentencing, especially in the area of traffic offences, and I suspect that some of the penalties are too light in certain areas. In view of the road deaths, I would like to see a more consistent form of...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for his suggestion. Nobody would realistically underestimate the traffic problems, particularly in the capital city. It would be unrealistic for me, as Minister, to suggest anything else. I acknowledge the difficulties, particularly with the M50 and in Dublin city centre. We need a certain amount of patience at the moment because a large number of the plans we have...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: In response to Deputy Durkan, if any public private partnerships are produced to the NTA, I would certainly encourage it to look at them. There must be such possibilities around the country. A large number of people have looked at them and suggested that they were not commercially viable, but if anything commercially viable is proposed and it is socially acceptable, it should, of course, be...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: In injury time, and he is in injury time there. He is talking about the Gorey to Rosslare rail link. The issue there is simple. No rail lines have been targeted for cuts. To me this is not a cop out. The public consultation ends on 18 January. The rail review will then make certain suggestions. I have no personal view on the issue the Deputy has raised. I am very happy to consider...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: That is absolutely fine, but I can assure him it is not targeted for cuts, because nowhere is targeted for cuts at the moment.

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for his very important question. As he knows, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, such as the Athy southern distributor road, is the statutory responsibility of Kildare County Council, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the council's own resources supplemented by State road...

Other Questions: Airport Charges (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: A new regime and a statutory instrument will come in very shortly, hopefully, in the new year. When it comes in, the IAA will undoubtedly undertake a review of the noise situation at Dublin Airport. It will not be the same situation where a State monopoly dominated all action at the airport up to now and with whom the residents have had contact but have not had what they describe as...

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and not for the first time. I think he has another question on it later which looks enormously like a duplicate.

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: It gives him a chance for two extra supplementaries later on.

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, the Harbours Act 2015 provides the legislative basis for one of the key recommendations in the national ports policy, namely, that governance of the five ports of regional significance should vest in local authority led governance structures. Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, as a port of regional significance, is designated under the policy for transfer to...

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I share the belief that it has taken far too long. Dún Laoghaire is certainly the slowest of these ports that will be taken into local authority control. I accept that the delay in decision making and progress in any direction is not satisfactory. However, I am very reluctant to interfere in a situation of this sort when it is really a matter for the local authority and the harbour...

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I think "seizing control" is emotive language of the kind I might have used when I was sitting in the Deputy's seat but which I would not use from here. The Deputy can be assured that I understand and share his impatience. I also share his views about the doubtful nature of some of the schemes that have been put forward such as cruise terminals. In respect of where the funding for such a...

Other Questions: Transport Policy (7 Dec 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for his question. The capital plan published in September 2015 outlined proposed transport investment priorities to 2022. The transport element of the plan was framed by the conclusions reached in my Department's strategic investment framework for land transport. This report highlighted the importance of maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with...