Results 121-140 of 188 for rural transport speaker:Michael Ring

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2017)

Michael Ring: I was delighted that the budget addressed other issues that concern rural Ireland, particularly the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector. I compliment the Minister for Finance on this. The rate was brilliant again this year. It is fine for people to say that hotels in Dublin are doing well. They are and we are delighted tourism is flying in Dublin. It is good that the capital city is...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second and Subsequent Stages (13 Jul 2017)

Michael Ring: ...cross-Border co-operation between Strabane, Donegal County Council and our own Department officials, who meet on a regular basis. The Government is taking Brexit very seriously. Nobody knows what effect it will have on rural Ireland. My job is to work with Government to make sure that it does not have a major negative effect. Reference was made to roles in local improvement schemes,...

Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Jul 2017)

Michael Ring: I thank all of the Deputies who have contributed to the debate on the formation of the new Department of Rural and Community Development. I think most Deputies have the best interests of rural Ireland at heart and see the merits in setting up a dedicated Department to progress the social and economic development of rural Ireland, as well as supporting both rural and urban communities through...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: CLÁR Programme (30 May 2017)

Michael Ring: The 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31 March 2017 and will provide funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. The allocation for CLÁR for 2017 is €5 million and funding is available under the following measures: Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures ...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised) (11 May 2017)

Michael Ring: I have no problem with speaking to some of the Departments involved. We will talk to them. I would not have a problem in talking to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport or the local authorities if they were prepared to come up with some funding. We could match some of the funding if the Departments were willing to do so. With regard to the HSE, one of the areas I have...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: CLÁR Programme (21 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: ...and development of local access roads to public amenities such as beaches and waterways, to facilitate the safe use of these resources by local communities and visitors alike. The Action Plan for Rural Development which was published recently includes a commitment to promote increased funding for Local Improvement Schemes (for non-public roads and laneways) and Community Involvement...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Mountain Rescue Service (7 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: ...Rescue Ireland (MRI) operates on a voluntary basis, but has received State support for a number of years to help cover the organisation’s operating costs. I understand that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport currently provides an average grant of approximately €7,500 per annum for each MRI rescue team. This grant helps with the provision of health and safety...

Other Questions: Rural Development Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Michael Ring: As the Deputy knows, Bus Éireann is a semi-State company and this is a matter for its management. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, has said rural services will be protected and he has responsibility in relation to transport. The Department to which the Deputy put down the question has no responsibility in relation to Bus Éireann. However, we are...

Other Questions: Rural Development Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Michael Ring: I cannot give any such guarantee. I am not the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and I am not the chief executive of Bus Éireann. I note, however, that a commitment has been given that no community will be left without a public service. It must be remembered that in my own area we have many private sector providers doing a great job on rural transport. I have many companies...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Regional Development Initiatives (31 Jan 2017)

Michael Ring: ...economic corridor to bring balance to it. The reason we are trying to establish it is to compete with Dublin and Cork. The Deputy is correct. At present jobs, population, the price of housing and transport are very serious problems in Dublin. This is why the Minister, Deputy Coveney, has his plan out for consultation. I hope people such as the Deputy, his party and all interested...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Michael Ring: The Action Plan for Rural Development provides a framework of supports to improve the lives of people who live and work in rural Ireland. It is the first Plan of its kind to address both the economic and social needs of rural Ireland through a whole-of-Government approach. The Plan includes number of initiatives across a range of Departments which will have a particular benefit for...

Topical Issue Debate: Regional Development Policy (30 Nov 2016)

Michael Ring: ...planning and housing and is currently preparing a new national planning framework which will form the basis for future development and investment decisions in the regions. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has policy responsibility for transport infrastructure, ports and airport policy. The financial allocations for these and other areas of investment are set out in the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Recreation Policy (20 Oct 2016)

Michael Ring: The Rural Recreation Scheme, which falls under my Department’s remit, provides funding for the development and maintenance of rural recreation infrastructure, including cycling and walking trails, in rural Ireland. I recently allocated €4.5 million to 75 projects around the country under the Rural Recreation Scheme. This funding included a number of walking and cycling...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Michael Ring: On the question of mountain rescue, the Minister is quite correct. They are looking for the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to take that over, and I will. I shall explain why. The same thing happened in the previous Department which covered it, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. Nobody would give them any funding. I put up a scheme, which...

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Ring: I will address the question on the greenways. The Deputy is correct. If we do not have buy-in from landowners, then we have a problem. Previously, I was in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and we ran into difficulty in Galway. The project had to be suspended. I am not a believer in the CPO process if an alternative is possible. If we cannot get negotiation, we have a...

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Ring: The Deputy is correct on the greenways, farm assist scheme and the rural transport scheme. When I attended the first meeting with the Taoiseach and the Cabinet subcommittee, I made the point. When the Deputy was a Minister in the past, he had the same problem. I have made a strong case on the greenways. That is not decided yet and I hope I will have responsibility. If we have...

National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (21 Jan 2016)

Michael Ring: ...vision is that it will give visitors the opportunity to experience 5,000 years of European history in a small, compact area. It is early days but it has the potential to attract a significant number of visitors to these areas and generate revenue and jobs in many rural communities. As with the Wild Atlantic Way, businesses and communities in Ireland’s Ancient East need to become...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Community Development Projects (11 Dec 2014)

Michael Ring: The Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport is a very good Minister who understands rural Ireland. He has family connections in Roscommon through his parents. I would make the point regarding any greenway that there must be public consultation and that the authorities must talk to farmers and bring them on board. That is the preferred way to do it and that is what we hope to do here. I...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Roads Maintenance (11 Dec 2014)

Michael Ring: I am pleased to reply on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe. The Minister has responsibility for overall policy and funding in respect of the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects are a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Sports Capital Programme (20 Dec 2012)

Michael Ring: ...Environment, Community and Local Government. I agree with the Deputy and I have been complaining about this since I entered office. All of that funding should be allocated to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, which should only deal with sport and nothing else. It is ludicrous that sport is dealt with in the other Departments. If it was all allocated through the Department...