Results 201-220 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The Deputy has asked five or six questions. I will answer him on several of them. Shannon is an area that has made representations to us on many issues, which have been covered by Deputies Carey, O'Donnell and others. We are very conscious of them and we will consider them in the light of every other plea that comes our way. I am aware of the fact the Deputy has made representations on...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: With regard to the question on bicycles, I thank the Deputy for her contribution. Although it is not up to me, I will convey her wishes to the Minister for Finance. On the second question, there is a certain misunderstanding about that scheme. It was introduced for two reasons. We must remember there is a guarantee of the money to the people who have actually had the cancellation. The...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I am not going to give the Deputy a pledge about going to Aer Lingus as I cannot do that. What I will do is address the matter with it and see what its interpretation of the situation is, and then take it from there. The second question was about the task force for Shannon Airport. I think we can probably give the Deputy that promise.

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. Some of their questions will be very ably and appropriately addressed by the task force. That is one of the reasons it has been set up. It will voice the views of some of those whose voices are very often not heard as loudly as those of others. I take the Deputies' point on union involvement. It is a very appropriate suggestion because the...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I have not met her since the crisis began, but I am happy to so do. I have met her previously.

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I do not think there were any sinister reasons for that. I think there were different opinions about that. The advice was taken. It was the subject of some debate, but certainly there was never any intention, that I know of, to ignore it. My impression was that it was always going to actually come into existence, but the implementation of it took a certain amount of time for technical...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I cannot, obviously. I would love to be able to do that. I cannot even give the actual date when it will be implemented at this stage. However, it is the intention to implement it. The only thing that could delay its implementation would be legal difficulties because obviously there are some legal and constitutional issues here. My guess is that it will continue for as long as the public...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: The intention is to do that.

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I will not insist because I cannot, obviously, but I can make some make recommendations about that to the Cabinet. I think that issue is being addressed. At the moment it is not mandatory but voluntary. If NPHET suggests that change, I have no doubt I will accept its recommendation, but it is a matter for it. If it is a public health issue and if it will save lives, I will certainly...

Covid-19 (Transport, Tourism and Sport): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Shane Ross: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to address the House on the aviation sector. While there are a number of structures through which my Department engages with industry stakeholders on a collective basis, I am acutely conscious that today's unprecedented challenges require that all options be considered and that we be open to novel approaches. For that reason, I am proposing to...

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

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 845, 956 and 982 together. My Department has maintained regular contact with key aviation stakeholders, including Aer Lingus, since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. The Government has brought forward a series of measures to support all businesses impacted by COVID-19. These include the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic...

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

Shane Ross: Government has approved a proposal to provide a State guarantee for a Refund Credit Note (RCN); a time bound special measure to address the exceptional circumstances created by Covid-19.  The proposal is that, with customer consent, RCNs can be issued by Irish registered travel agents and tour operators instead of cash refunds for package holidays cancelled...

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

Shane Ross: The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business is based on public health advice and sets out a variety of public health requirements for each of its five phases.  Phase one of the Roadmap provides for participation in a range of outdoor sporting activities such as golf, on condition that it is undertaken in groups of no more than four people, at a...

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

Shane Ross: I am scheduled to attend the next meeting of the Advisory Committe on Small Public Service Vehicles, sometimes known as the Taxi Advisory Committee, on 25 June 2020. As you may be aware, the Committee's role under s.73 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 is to advise the Minister for Transport in relation to issues relevant to small public service vehicles and their drivers. A...

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

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 849, 900, 914 and 929 together. The Tourism Recovery Taskforce was established by Minister of State Brendan Griffin and I on 20 May 2020. The purpose of the Taskforce is to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan for submission to the Ministers which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed...

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

Shane Ross: The Commission for Aviation Regulation, which is an independent statutory body under my remit, has responsibility for enforcing airline refund obligations in Ireland, and I understand that the Commission recently wrote to all airlines operating routes that service Ireland reminding them of their legal obligations to provide refunds for cancelled bookings.  I am also aware that there...

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: 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 including driver theory tests, 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.  The resumption of driver...

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

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 853 and 854 together. As the Deputy is aware, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.  In...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver 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 (RSA) are currently examining the possibility and appropriate timing of resuming...