Results 1,501-1,520 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

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

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for asking this topical question, which is a hot issue in the light of Brexit. Motorists resident in Ireland with a UK, including Northern Ireland, driver licence are being advised to exchange that licence for an Irish driver licence before 31 October 2019. In the event of a no-deal Brexit, the UK will no longer be a member state and, therefore, the UK driver licence will...

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

Shane Ross: As I outlined, preparations are being made for the sort of scenario the Deputy described. It is anticipated that increased opening hours at the NDLS centres will commence next week and will be advertised on the NDLS website. Additional resources are in place at the application processing centre to cater for the expected increased demand, which the Deputy should recognise. At present, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Initiatives (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. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA is the statutory body with responsibility for the regulation of fares...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I am of course committed toward improving sustainability mobility options in all areas of the country, including within the Deputy’s particular constituency. Heavily trafficked roads, such as the M50, can record higher levels of nitrogen dioxide, although the Deputy will know from the report that the highest levels are found within 10 metres of the motorway’s edge. Levels...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: Firstly, I would like to explain that, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, development and construction of individual national road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 95 together. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport services by way of Public Services Obligation (PSO) contracts in respect of services that are socially necessary but...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for her question and I know this is an issue she has raised with me before in relation to the old Navan to Kingscourt line. As I have previously stated, the operation of the operation of the rail network, including former lines on the network, is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. As the Deputy will also recall, the priority funding...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Management (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: Traffic congestion is an issue in Ireland’s cities and some towns; it can impose economic and social costs on residents, commuters and businesses, and it worsens emissions that impact on air quality and the environment. As our population and economic performance grows, more journeys are created only adding to the issue. Over time, rising travel demand coupled with a scarcity of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: Firstly, let me state that I am keenly aware of the potential role of e-bikes as part of our overall policy in supporting a greater shift to sustainable mobility in people’s daily lives. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, that potential is found in a number of ways, most obviously in extending the potential “reach” of cycling as an attractive daily commuting option for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Light Rail Projects (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputy for his interest in this important project and his implicit support for its delivery. At the outset, let us all be clear that any “megaproject” like this requires careful planning and design and must rightly conform to a very high standard of statutory requirements in areas such as environmental protection or procurement for example. In addition to those...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Initiatives (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation and provision of services on the rail network are matters for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance, which, in consultation with the National Transport Authority (NTA), is currently examining how best to source additional rolling stock as efficiently...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: 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 NTA has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport services by way of Public Services Obligation (PSO) contracts in respect of services that are socially necessary but commercially unviable. In relation to services in Co....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 64 and 211 together. As the Deputies are aware, the continued economic growth and increased employment levels have seen demand increase across the public transport networks and particularly in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). Project Ireland 2040commits over €8 billion to public transport and active travel projects over the next 10 years. This...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Status (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: As the Deputy is aware, the planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities. Following the conclusion in 2018 of the legal challenge to the approval of the scheme, the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure (DfI) updated the project assessments and undertook a public consultation on a number of environmental reports...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Fleet (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: The movement to low-emission urban buses is central to the promotion and normalisation of cleaner fuels and technologies. A major shift to cleaner alternatives across the entire transport sector is necessary if we are to reduce harmful emissions. However, the switch to alternative fuels and technologies cannot be effected without a considerable State investment in supporting refueling...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 96 together. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have overall responsibility for policy and funding in relation to public transport. The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: Although the Deputy does not say so, I am assuming that he is referring to drivers from Northern Ireland being able to drive into this jurisdiction if Brexit occurs without a deal in place. The answer is that they will. Specifically, driving across the border in a no-deal Brexit scenario will raise three issues. The first is the driving licence. Under the 1949 Geneva Convention on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: The Government's Brexit Contingency Action Plan Update was published on 9 July. It is the Government's assessment that there is a significant risk of a no deal Brexit on 31 October and accordingly work on no deal Brexit preparations continue to have the highest priority across Government Departments and Agencies. There is a high degree of uncertainty in forecasting the macroeconomic impact...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: My Department is primarily involved in the development of national tourism policy, while the tourism agencies have responsibility for the implementation of this policy. With regard to the various regions, Fáilte Ireland develops and promotes their tourism potential in line with the relevant tourism experience brands – namely, Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, Ireland's Ancient East,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Priorities (2 Oct 2019)

Shane Ross: As part of the 2020 estimates process, my Department is currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to funding in 2020. When my Department's allocation is confirmed in the Budget, decisions will be made regarding the appropriate level of funding for all programmes under my areas of responsibility. Foremost in 2020 will be the ongoing consideration of...