Results 11,761-11,780 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Policy (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: I would like to thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to clarify the position in relation to the proposed review. My Department's National Aviation Policy, published in 2015, outlined a commitment to commission a high-level strategic capacity review of State airports in 2018.  With Irish airports now experiencing a return to growth following several years of decline and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Funding (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: ​I propose to take Questions Nos. 904 to 908, inclusive, together. Under the National Cycle Network (NCN) Funding Programme approximately €23.5 million was allocated over the period 2012 to 2016  to advance cycle routes that provided valuable transport and recreational infrastructure, with the added potential to enhance tourist activity for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: The carriage of cattle, sheep and pigs within the State is exempted from the road haulage licensing regulations under Section 2 of the Road Transport Act 1978. If an operator is to engage in such carriage outside the State between EU Member States, an International Road Haulage Operator Licence incorporating a Community Licence is required.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (including bridges) in Kildare is the statutory responsibility of Kildare County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993 -2015. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council. Traffic management in its area is a matter for the local authority, in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Authority Funding (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: ​As the Deputy is aware I had hoped to visit Kerry on the 14th September but unfortunately the visit had to be deferred. While my office will try to reschedule the visit, I have to make the point that my Department continues to operate under very constrained budgets which limits the level of grants available across the country to supplement local authorities' own resources.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure including bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, etc in the State. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licensing Exchange Agreements (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: ​Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU driver licensing legislation. As such, we have exchange arrangements for driving licences with all other EU Member States. In the case of non-EU States, we may reach bilateral agreements. These agreements are not a straightforward matter. Before an agreement can be reached, there must be detailed comparisons of the two...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: The provision of infrastructure such as a pedestrian footbridge as suggested by the Deputy is a matter for the relevant local authority.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions 918 and 919 together as both relate to the N72 national road scheme in the village of Barradubh, Co. Kerry. As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects (including the N72) is a matter for the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: I understand that Gortahoneboy is located on the N72 national route. 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 implementation of individual road projects (including the N72) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: ​As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects (including the N22 road scheme) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) provides funding for private roads and laneways, the maintenance and improvement of which is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. While the LIS does not have a ring-fenced allocation at present, local authorities may use a proportion of State grant funding (15% of the Discretionary Grant) for LIS should they wish to do so. In...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Subsidies (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: The Deputy will be aware that this year's total Public Service Obligation (PSO) subvention was increased by 13% when compared to last year and the total amount of money made available to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2016 is €236.6m. All three operators will therefore receive increased PSO subvention funding this year which is a very welcome development given that, as...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: School Transport Provision (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: The issue raised is a matter for the Department of Education and Skills and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to that Department for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network Expansion (27 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The Programme for Partnership Government includes a commitment to provide for an independent costing and review of a proposal to extend the Western Rail Corridor by linking Athenry and Claremorris. The progression of this commitment is being examined in the context of the Rail Review which I have recently received.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (21 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to come in here today for the first dialogue of the session. I want to update the committee on my Department’s budgetary position in 2016 and to hear the committee's views ahead of budget 2017 on funding priorities for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. With an overall budget allocation of €1.74 billion this year and a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (21 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: Good morning.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (21 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: I will start by answering Deputy Fitzpatrick's questions. He asked me if I was satisfied with the amount of funding going to local and regional roads. I am not. It is inadequate. What we are getting for all roads, local or national, is inadequate. We need more, particularly in terms of the figure I quoted in my opening remarks. We will not get up to steady State levels until 2020. That...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (21 Sep 2016)

Shane Ross: The Deputy referred to road improvements. There have been Supplementary Estimates for road improvements every year. The Deputy stated that they were not enough. It is regrettable, but there must be Supplementary Estimates, given that the state of our roads is deteriorating. Some €96 million will be allocated for flooding this year. Road improvement grants have been given. I am...