Results 11,321-11,340 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: The maintenance and restoration of Broadstone Depot is a matter, in the first instance, for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIE) who own the Depot. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure projects, including Luas Cross City.  I understand that the wall...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Bike Schemes (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible, in cooperation with the relevant local authorities, for the delivery and administration of the public bikes schemes in the regional cities of Limerick, Cork and Galway. I have forwarded your question relating to statistics for the Limerick bike stations to the NTA for attention and direct response to you. If you have not received a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pension Provisions (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport was established on the 9th March 2011. My Department has not received any applications for injury warrants under the Superannuation Acts from any Department staff in that period up to date. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences Renewals (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 540 together. Applicants renewing their driving licences are required to indicate which licence categories they wish to renew. This allows applicants the freedom to choose to renew for particular categories and not for others, should they so wish. It is a very minor burden on applicants. Asking the National Driver Licensing Service...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services Provision (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is currently running a public consultation on rail in Ireland. It was launched last week with the publication of the Rail Review 2016 - which the NTA undertook in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann - together with an NTA consultation document "The Role of Rail in Ireland and Funding its Delivery"....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Events (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: The Irish Rugby Football Union, along with the rugby unions in France and South Africa, has made it through to the Candidate Phase of the process to select a host for the Rugby World Cup in 2023. I, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, have no role in the matter of the provisional long list of stadia for the all-island bid. This is entirely a matter for the IRFU Bid...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Airports (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy will be aware, two air routes are currently subject to PSO arrangements and there are no plans to extend the PSO regime to any other routes, including Sligo Airport. A review was undertaken recently into the performance of the operator of the air services on those two routes as provided for under the PSO contract and the contract has been extended for a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: A Committee has been established within my Department arising from the UK decision to leave the EU. The Committee has formally met on two occasions to date with a further meeting planned for tomorrow, 23 November 2016. However, consideration of the implications of Brexit have been ongoing across the Department and with other Government Departments and agencies since before the UK...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Clamping (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: The Vehicle Clamping Act was enacted in May 2015 and conferred the responsibilities of regulating vehicle clamping upon the National Transport Authority (NTA). This conferral of additional responsibilities resulted in a requirement for allocation of additional resources to the NTA in order to allow it carry out its new functions in this area. In addition the NTA also required a period to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Properties (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: ​In general the Office of Public Works is responsible for the procurement of office and other (accommodation) required for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and accordingly the details of vacant sites, properties and land in the Dublin City Council area is a matter for them. There are some instances where lands are owned by the Minister but are leased to State Bodies...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the relevant transport provider and I have forwarded the Deputy's question 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: Rail Network Expansion (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: ​Under the current Capital Plan "Building on Recovery:  Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016 - 2021", the priority for heavy rail infrastructure is to provide the necessary funding for maintenance and renewal programmes to bring the level of funding on the network up to the required 'steady state' condition. In these circumstances, it is not currently...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Coast Guard Issues (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the immeasurable contribution made by the Irish Coast Guard Volunteers in the provision of the State's Search and Rescue Service. In relation to the question at hand, ​I refer the Deputy to my response to PQ Ref: 34648/16 on 15thNovember 2016, which outlined the legislative provisions that underpin the activities of the Irish Coast...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (22 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Topical Issue Debate: Railway Stations (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: While taking the train to Killucan may be difficult, I will certainly accept the Deputy's kind invitation to come and have a look. I am not an expert in this area and I would probably be wise to bring along somebody from Iarnród Éireann who has made a decision or judgment on this. Given the passionate way the Deputy has presented the problem, it is only fair.

Topical Issue Debate: Railway Stations (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: He has made the case that the population is expanding and the project would have merit and would perhaps be commercial, be an asset to Iarnród Éireann and bring more passengers. Of course I will consider it. I am not here to refuse requests if they make sense. If it does not, it will be rejected. I strongly advise the Deputy to advise those who made representations to him to...

Topical Issue Debate: Railway Stations (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: Again, we have a conflict. The issues associated with the single platform relate to the impact on the timetable in normal operations and safety and recovery times in the event of a train failure or other degraded conditions. I thank the Deputy and I will visit his area. It is a pity he could not accept my invitation when I was there when he was being re-elected. At the time, he did not...

Topical Issue Debate: Railway Stations (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As Minister for Transport,. Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation of rail network and the stations on it is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. Killucan train station in Westmeath is on the Dublin to Sligo line, located approximately half way between Mullingar and Enfield....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test Centres (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in these matters. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (17 Nov 2016)

Shane Ross: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the local authority, 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 grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council. The...