Results 201-220 of 9,112 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The Deputy raises an important issue.  As things stand in law, air passenger rights are protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which covers the rights of passenger in instances of cancellations and other scenarios, including long delays.  However, if a flight goes ahead and a customer either cancels or does not use their ticket, they are not entitled to a refund under EU law. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Due to the closure of services provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, I took measures to extend the validity of number of documents, including the learner permit. Any learner permits which were due to expire from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 inclusive have had their period of validity extended by 4 months. If it is the case that the NDLS centres...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Firstly I would like to advise that officials in my Department have commenced engagement with the Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland and will continue to do so on a regular basis. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 health emergency, the Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important and designated...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I understand the very difficult business environment that the bus, coach & small public service vehicle (SPSV) operators are now dealing with.  Indeed, across Government we are acutely aware that the COVID-19 situation presents huge challenges for very many business sectors. That is why we have worked to introduce a wide programme of Government supports for impacted...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Officials and I have maintained regular contact with key aviation stakeholders, including the airlines, with regard to a range of COVID-19 related issues. A number of airlines have indicated a need for financial support to assist with immediate cash flow concerns, or with potential liquidity issues likely to arise should the disruption continue throughout...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: As things stand in law, air passenger rights are protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which covers the rights of passenger in instances of cancellations and other scenarios, including long delays.  However, if a flight goes ahead and a customer either cancels or does not use their ticket, they are not entitled to a refund under EU law.  I understand, however, that the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time and as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis my Department continues to be guided by National Public Health Emergency Team and the relevant national experts in relation to the resumption of services. My officials and the Road Safety Authority are currently examining the possibility of resuming the National Car Test...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Jun 2020)

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 (NTA) is working with public transport operators (both public and private) who are implementing public health advice in relation to issues such as cleaning regimes and social distancing measures designed to limit...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Consumer protections for airline passengers and for holiday-makers who book trips through travel agents and tour operators are enshrined in EU law.  EU Regulation 261/2004 requires airlines to provide a full cash refund within 7 days in the event that a flight is cancelled by the airline. EU Directive 2302/2015 on Package Travel applies to travel agents and tour operators, and it...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The 2020 Budget allocation for the Irish Coast Guard is €70,755,000 for Current Expenditure and €4,033,000 for Capital. The majority of the Current allocation is spent on the Search and Rescue helicopter service while the bulk of the Capital  allocation goes on the building and maintenance of Coast Guard stations. A 4% increase would result in a Current Allocation for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (3 Jun 2020)

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 (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of Real Time Passenger Information displays. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: It must be understood that a learner permit is not a licence, but a permit to allow a person to drive while learning. The purpose of the driving test is to set out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that a learner must demonstrate in order to become a fully licenced driver. Until a learner can meet this standard and pass this test, they are not safe to take to our roads...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time and as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis my Department continues to be guided by National Public Health Emergency Team and the relevant national experts in relation to the resumption of services. My officials and the Road Safety Authority are currently examining the possibility of resuming the National Car Test (NCT)...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: As with other aspects of driving licence services, driver theory tests are currently suspended.  Although the contractor is making plans to clear the inevitable backlog of applications, a date has not yet been confirmed as to when their offices can reopen, and they will only do so when they can ensure that all Covid-19 related restrictions in place at that time can be strictly adhered...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Both my Department and the Road Safety Authority, the body responsible for licensing and inspecting driving instruction in Ireland, have been engaging with queries from individual instructors and schools on an ongoing basis since the introduction of public health restrictions in March. I should clarify to the Deputy, however that at this point...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Due to the closure of services provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, I took measures to extend the validity of number of documents, including the learner permit.  Any learner permits which were due to expire from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 inclusive have had their period of validity extended by 4 months. If it is the case that the NDLS...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.  Noting...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Firstly I would like to advise that officials in my Department have commenced engagement with the Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland and will continue to do so on a regular basis. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 health emergency, the Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important and designated...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The RSA is currently working, in consultation with my Department, on plans for the resumption of the range of services and functions for which it is responsible, following the publication of the Government roadmap and, more recently, the National Return to Work Safety Protocol as agreed by employer and trade union representatives.  I appreciate that the inability to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: Due to the closure of services provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, I took measures to extend the validity of number of documents, including the learner permit.  Any learner permits which were due to expire from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 inclusive have had their period of validity extended by 4 months. If it is the case that the NDLS...