Results 12,381-12,400 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Other Questions: Public Transport Provision (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: ​I thank Deputy Broughan for his remarks about meeting the road safety group, whose cause I know he has championed for so long. We had a very constructive discussion. The group has done a huge amount of homework and has much to offer in this particular area through tragic personal experience I know but all the same, it is something which may prevent accidents of the sort they have...

Other Questions: Public Transport Provision (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Broughan for his contribution. It has to be approached on an available money basis. As I said in my earlier response, we only have a certain amount of money to keep us in a healthy public transport financial sphere until 2020 and to keep it in a steady state condition. In other words, we will not be able to afford to spend money on more than design and planning of metro...

Other Questions: Airport Development Projects (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I have already dealt with a similar question from Deputy Brendan Ryan, as Deputy Ellis will be aware. The DAA has responsibility for the north runway project. It was granted planning permission in 2007 for the project and announced its intention to proceed in April 2016. As I have said previously, I welcome the DAA's stated commitment to work closely with all stakeholders, including...

Other Questions: Airport Development Projects (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Ellis. I am in danger of repetition given what I have already said to Deputy Ryan. I take to heart what both the Deputies have said. I understand the real difficulties in which the residents find themselves when a large project of this sort threatens to disturb their lives with the noise it creates. As the Deputy knows, new EU rules and directives are coming into force...

Other Questions: Harbour Authorities (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Boyd Barrett for his question. I am aware of the excellent work he has done on this project for a long period of time. It is always a cause of great embarrassment to him and to me when we find ourselves on the same side on issues of this sort, but I am afraid we may find ourselves in that position again today. That does not mean I am going to meet exactly who Deputy Boyd...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Greenways Development (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: It is a matter which has moved way up my list of priorities since I visited Athlone that day. I am not going to get involved in the rights and wrongs of the dispute or the difficulties which are obviously obstructing the progress of this greenway in the direction we had hoped. However, I am going to appeal and hope to do something in a more concrete way to ensure it will go ahead soon. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for bringing this problem to my attention. It is coming at me thick and fast and the Deputy has certainly been the first out of the traps in tabling a Priority Question on the matter. I understand its importance to people, particularly those outside city areas. The local improvement scheme remains in place this year. The scheme provides funding for private roads and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Local Improvement Scheme Funding (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I am giving away no secrets to the Deputy in telling him this issue was included in the programme for Government and that it came from members of my group. I am kept conscious by the day of what the Deputy is saying by another source. The pressure exerted on me will be equally effective from elsewhere. The Deputy is kicking at a vulnerable and open door when talking about the issue. While...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: State Airports (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: On a point of order, I thought Deputy Troy's question was next.

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: State Airports (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: Okay. That is fine.

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: State Airports (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: That is fine. We will take them in this order.

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: State Airports (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I would like to thank Deputy Ryan for his question. As he will be aware, the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, has a statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport, including by providing the infrastructure necessary to meet existing and future demand. The north runway project falls into this category.  The DAA was granted planning permission for this project in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: State Airports (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy. I assure him that I will not allow a State monopoly to bully any group of residents, regardless of how small that group is. The Deputy can take that message back to them. It seems to me that State bodies of this sort are always in a position of great advantage over small groups of people. Although I agree that the necessity for the second runway is compelling, it is...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Greenways Development (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: ​A decision to pause the development of the Dublin to Galway greenway west of the River Shannon between Athlone and Galway was taken by my predecessor last October. Deputy Troy is correct when he says that I visited Athlone a few weeks ago to educate myself about greenways. He cannot be incorrect because I was delighted to meet him there. I was brought there by the Deputy's...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Greenways Development (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: The outcome of the process of consultation between Transport Infrastructure for Ireland, Galway County Council, Roscommon County Council and landowners along the route suggested it would be wise to give everyone involved time to reflect on the issues raised and to consider the possibility of developing a new route that works locally and has the support of key landowners.  While the vast...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Traffic Management (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: If there is a long-term vision, I think that is apparent in what I have said there. Could I say before I finish-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Traffic Management (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I am sorry. I will do it when I answer the Deputy's next question.

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Public Transport (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Munster for her question. It is a good question and there is quite a lot behind what she has to say about the disabled. I will answer first of all about the improvements and then I will suggest what I think. I acknowledge that much remains to be done. Accessibility improvements to public transport services are being advanced in the context of my Department's sectoral...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Public Transport (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: There may be a misunderstanding on Bus Éireann. My understanding is the Bus Éireann city fleets are all accessible. The Deputy is correct that the ones outside the city fleet are not universally accessible. We might have been at cross-purposes on that. I take her point; it is one of the gaps that is not acceptable. Bus Éireann coaches are in a similar situation; they are...

Ceisteanna - Questions (resumed) - Priority Questions: Public Transport (14 Jun 2016)

Shane Ross: I intend to address that issue in the near future. I gather that the NTA is already looking at ways for imposing a similar and much more demanding standard on them.