Results 1,481-1,500 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Preparations (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I have full confidence in what Dublin Port has done. I cannot guarantee that there will not be disruption. We are anticipating disruption in a no-deal Brexit, but we are doing everything possible to mitigate those circumstances. Dublin and Rosslare ports have taken all necessary measures possible. There will also be congestion at Dover, Calais, Holyhead, Liverpool and elsewhere, but what...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Preparations (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I have met the ferry companies on various occasions, as have my officials. It is important that we have contact with the ferry companies, given that the landbridge could be a flashpoint. It is anticipated that there could be difficulties if there are queues at Dover. The question for the ferry companies has been whether they would be able to provide the additional capacity that might be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Safety Authority Campaigns (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: The figures for deaths on our roads this year are disappointing and a matter of serious concern for the RSA, the Deputy and me. We have seen a general long-term downward trend in road deaths on Irish roads over the past two decades. The number of road deaths dropped from 458 in 1998 to a record low of 144 in 2018, a decrease of more than 68%. This result has been achieved through the work...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services Provision (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: -----have been identified at a cost of €50,000 per station. Irish Rail is developing a proposal for the works-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Road Traffic Legislation (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I know that she is very much acquainted with the issues relating to it but, for the consideration of the House, I would like to provide some background information. In February 2011, Dublin City Council, DCC, took over responsibility for the licensing of horse-drawn carriage operators and drivers from the Garda Carriage Office.  This was...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Road Traffic Legislation (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: The Deputy is correct that there is a lacuna and a vacuum. It is difficult for me to defend because it has taken too long. I apologies to here for that. It is complicated because at least three Departments are involved. She is correct in her comments in that regard. Three Departments are involved in what is a relatively minor issue in the scheme of things; many have been solely involved...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Road Traffic Legislation (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: The Deputy has put her finger on it. I am not absolving myself of blame but the fact that so many Acts date back so far makes the matter much more complicated, obscure and also very time consuming, especially when there are several items of legislation involved. Animal welfare is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine. I am not passing the buck but I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Preparations (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: The Government has extensive preparations in place for a possible no-deal Brexit on 31 October 2019. In its action plan published in July 2019, the Government acknowledged that a no-deal Brexit will be highly disruptive and will have profound implications across all aspects of society. It would be impossible for the UK to maintain the current seamless arrangements with the EU across the full...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Funding (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I will convey what the Deputy says to Fáilte Ireland and will not express a view on it particularly. I will ask its views and whether it thinks this is worth doing as the Deputy suggests. In response to any criticism that suggests we are not doing enough, there are direct flights, as the Deputy knows. Hainan Airlines operates a direct flight to Dublin from Beijing and Cathay...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services Provision (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for asking that question, the more he asks it the more welcome it becomes because it is quite right that he continuously make us accountable for people with disabilities and report to him regularly. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services Provision (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I deeply regret Sean's experience. His was a dilemma that has probably happened to other people. The Deputy is right there have been problems in the lifts and that highlights the daily difficulties for people with disabilities. I met Sean last Friday and am aware of the situations that occur. I met one of the Deputy's local election candidates at the same time.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services Provision (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: A concern for people with disabilities occurs when facilities such as lifts at train stations are out of service for long periods. Irish Rail has assured the Department that it is committed to providing all its customers, including those who are mobility and sensory impaired, with the highest level of accessibility on its rail network. When lifts get damaged and are out of service some...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disability Services Provision (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: Equality is where we are absolutely determined to head. I do not have time to list the number of initiatives we have taken on this, including the trebling of funding, and the appointment to every transport board of somebody with experience of disabilities in order to raise the realisation at every single stage. We have done a great deal but it is not enough. The Deputy is right; it will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: We are taking dramatic, radical and substantial measures to do exactly what the Deputy has asked, namely, to get people out of private cars and onto public transport. We also have plans for Cork. I will not list the various measures because I do not have time but the Deputy will be familiar with them, especially those that apply to young people. Our ambitions are high but the costs are...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Funding (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: The Deputy is right that China is a very important market that deserves considerable attention. I hope he will be satisfied that the tourism agencies are well aware of this and are acting accordingly. Under the Government's global Ireland strategy, we are committed to developing tourism from new and emerging tourism markets with potential for Ireland. This year, Tourism Ireland has...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Funding (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I am quite prepared to have a conversation with Tourism Ireland on the commitment to which the Deputy referred. I believe the number of Chinese tourists coming here per annum is nearly 100,000. While €1 million may seem a small amount, one must remember that China is a very long way away. It has an enormous population but I acknowledge that if we were to get a very small number of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Funding (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: Some 55% of Chinese outbound tourists spend in excess of €2,260 per visit so they are valuable.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Licences (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: The Deputy can be certain that the RSA and the Department will respond to increased demand. If there is increased demand, as the Deputy anticipates, from returning emigrants, they will respond to that. In my opening reply, I said the average waiting time for the exchange of a UK driving licence for an Irish one is three days, which is a very short period. If there is a rush of emigrants...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority, or NTA, has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares for public passenger transport services with the transport operators. The funding of public service obligation, or PSO, services comprises fares paid by...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I am not sure that it is good value for money. I spelled out for the Deputy the costs, which are absolutely formidable. It would be very difficult to raise that sort of money. What we are talking about here are substantial sums which it is not guaranteed would deliver on the objective at this stage. The Deputy and his colleagues are approaching the issue in a reformist way, which is...