Results 341-360 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I am aware that businesses across many sectors, including transport and tourism, are deeply affected by the Covid-19 public health emergency. That is why we have worked to introduce a wide programme of Government supports for impacted businesses. The range of supports available includes new schemes of wage subsidies, rates waivers, re-start grants, lending facilities, equity injection, and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 756, 788, 811 and 821 together. I understand the very difficult business environment that 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (27 May 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: Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The Deputy may wish to be aware that between February 2019 and February 2020 the number of licensed wheelchair-accessible small public service vehicles (SPSVs) increased from 2,253 to 3,100, an increase of 37.5%. In light of this increase in wheelchair-accessible SPSVs, I see no reason to introduce new legislative measures at this time. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I am glad to report to the Deputy that an advanced draft of a Bill to give effect to this key reform measure is being scrutinised by my Department, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. It should be ready for publication soon. As reflected in the Government's policy statement on the matter - which was published in September 2017 - the Bill provides for the establishment of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: Driving lessons are provided by self-employed private individuals or companies, and they have a responsibility to ensure that they can comply with the necessary public health requirements before they can reopen their businesses. It is not within the remit of my Department to issue advice to driving instructors on public health issues. However, I expect them to encounter difficulties...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (27 May 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 (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: Subject to appropriate, tightly defined limitations and conditionality, I have been advocating such a return to training, following current practices for high performance athletes elsewhere in Europe. This issue is under consideration and the subject of discussion with my colleague, the Minister for Health.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: Subject to appropriate, tightly defined limitations and conditionality, I have been advocating such a return to training, following current practices for high performance athletes elsewhere in Europe. This issue is under consideration and the subject of discussion with my colleague, the Minister for Health.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (27 May 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. Likewise, I have extended the validity...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (27 May 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 licensed 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: Driver Test (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The RSA is currently working, in consultation with my Department, on plans for the resumption of the range of public services for which it is responsible, following the publication of the Government roadmap and, more recently, the National Return to Work Safety Protocol agreed by employer and trade union representatives. As the Deputy will appreciate, the driving test raises particular...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Consumer Rights (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The Deputy raises an important issue, and it is one affecting many people. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (27 May 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: Public Private Partnerships (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: 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 operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Matters relating to the day to day...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: While the provisions governing the operation of the National Car Test, including the charging of fees, are set out in the relevant regulations, under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No.477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of periodic roadworthiness testing in the State. In that capacity, I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Funding (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycle and public transport infrastructure. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, including the management of public bike schemes. Decisions regarding contracts, operation and expansion of existing and proposed bike schemes fall under the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The period of a validity of a range of certificates and licences was extended because the relevant services and offices were subject to closure in compliance with the requirements of public health. As the Road Safety Authority is processing Approved Driving Instructors' Licences as normal, it was not necessary and there are no proposals to extend the period of validity of these licences at...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (27 May 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 licensed 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: Driver Test (27 May 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. The RSA is currently working, in...