Results 12,121-12,140 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Driver Licence Applications (14 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I hope he will. I am sympathetic, as both Senators will know, to the difficulties caused by the closure of the post offices throughout rural Ireland. I was well aware of that during the period of the previous Government. I have not lost those sympathies but this is a subject I have to address in light of the circumstances in which we find ourselves and what has...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Driver Licence Applications (14 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: I do not disagree with a great deal of what Senator Burke has had to say. Let us remember there is a contract that goes out to tender. I would encourage the post office network, as he would, to tender.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Swimming Pool Programme Applications (14 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: ​In response to a Ministerial representation received from Kildare County Council, a reply issued to Kildare County Council on 30 June reconfirming that their submission was invalid.  Kildare County Council were aware of the title requirements at the time of their expression of interest in the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme and that they...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Services (14 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus 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: Vehicle Clamping (14 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 to 260, inclusive, together. As the Deputy knows, the Vehicle Clamping Act was enacted in May 2015. The Act 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (14 Jul 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 N20 at Buttevant) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with Cork...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (14 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law which sets a number of requirements in relation to the issuing of driving licences. Driving licences issued by one Member State are inter-exchangeable between EU States.  An Irish licence holder, living temporarily in another EU country can renew their existing licence by post, without returning to Ireland to appear in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (14 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: ​As I outlined in my reply to the Deputy in PQ No. 852 (Ref. 12810/16) on 31 May 2016 the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) remains in place.  This Scheme 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 in 2016,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority (14 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: My predecessor approved the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 - 2035 on 24 February 2016 pursuant to section 12(13) of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. Section 13(1) of the Act requires the National Transport Authority (NTA) to then prepare an integrated implementation plan which must be submitted for Ministerial approval within 9 months of the approval of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (14 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The organisation, financial compensation and award of public transport service contracts is governed by EU law, known as Regulation 1370/2007.  Relevant provisions of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (as amended) provide the necessary Irish perspective to this overarching EU framework and section 52 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 provides the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (14 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: ​Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann receive Exchequer funding in respect of public service obligation (PSO) services. PSO services are public transport services provided in the general interest that another commercial operator would not assume or would not assume to the same extent or under the same conditions without reward. Exchequer funding is made available to the NTA to allocate...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (14 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: My Department does not borrow funds. Its gross expenditure provision for 2016 of over €1.7bn is derived solely from our allocation under Vote 31 of the Revised Estimates for Public Services.  A large portion of the funding is allocated to Agencies and Public Bodies under my remit.  I have forwarded the Deputy's question to those individual bodies for...

Topical Issue Debate: Maritime Training (13 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputies for their responses. I cannot promise the same result in any other disputes looming on the horizon, but this one seems to be resolved for the moment and I hope permanently. The area covering the seafarers is a big issue. For those who might have been in limbo and those who have already undergone relevant training in SNO, which are obviously parallel or similar...

Topical Issue Debate: Maritime Training (13 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputies for raising this subject. I will address the immediate issue for those who are unaware of it. There was a meeting yesterday between my officials and representatives of the MSO and the NMCI and it appears they have reached an agreement on a solution to this problem. However, I take the point made by Deputy Martin, which is new to me. If there is a bad relationship...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services Provision (13 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together. As I have previously stated, I and my Department fully support Norwegian Air International and the introduction of the proposed Cork to Boston route. On the 15th of April 2016 the US Department of Transportation published a tentative decision to grant Norwegian Air International the foreign air carrier permit required to operate the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations Upgrade (13 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: My Department funds an on-going programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities.  This programme is being managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) on behalf of my Department. I understand that funding is being provided this year under the Programme for accessibility upgrade works at a number of railway...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (13 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together. Rickshaws are covered by road traffic law. Pedal-powered rickshaws come within the definition of 'pedal cycles' and powered rickshaws are classified as 'mechanically propelled vehicles'. They, like all other road traffic, are obliged to obey road traffic law. The measures which were introduced last year to allow An...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Maintenance Funding (13 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in County Cork is the statutory responsibility of Cork County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended). 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Toll Operators (13 Jul 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) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Furthermore, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (13 Jul 2016)

Shane Ross: ​The regulation of the small public service vehicle industry, including the administration of the vehicle suitability test, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within...