Tag Archives: Transport Minister

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe has welcomed the decision of SIPTU and the NBRU to call off planned strike action, which was due to begin on Sunday, following an agreement that was reached at the Labour Relations Commission in the early hours of this morning. This will come as welcome news for GAA supporters from Tipperary,  Kilkenny and Limerick (minors) who will be travelling to Dublin on Sunday for the All-Ireland hurling finals. It will also be a relief for third level students who avail of train services. The agreement, which was reached following days of talks with management and unions, will allow a ballot to take place on the LRC proposals, which are designed to protect the future viability of Irish Rail. “The fact that agreement has been reached by unions and management, which will allow the planned strike action to be averted, is most welcome. All parties to the dispute are aware of the financial …

THE company operating the Shannon Tunnel lost over €6.7 million in 2013, despite having the benefit of a generous Government subsidy. The mounting losses of €15 million over a two-year period have prompted calls for Transport Minister, Pascal Donohoe to introduce new measures to attract more traffic for the tunnel. Irish Hauliers Association president, Eoin Gavin believes the reintroduction of toll-free journeys for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) would result in a number of financial and environment benefits for the company and the Government. Last November, the total number of HGVs using the Shannon Tunnel jumped by a massive 70%, when former transport minister Leo Varadkar introduced toll-free journeys for trucks, who no longer had to pay €6.10 per journey. While Minister Varadkar suggested this pilot initiative should be continued, this wasn’t done and trucks started bypassing the tunnel once more. Mr Gavin stressed there were a number of benefits arising out of the continuation of the initiative, such as increasing …

Recently appointed Transport Minister,  Paschal Donohoe, made his first  official visit to Shannon Airport on Tuesday evening  where he was welcomed by chairman, Rose Hynes and CEO, Neil Pakey. The Minister was in Shannon as part of a day-long visit to Clare to launch Bus Éireann’s enhanced services to the Cliffs of Moher, Clare coast and the airport. Shannon Group Chairman Rose Hynes said, “We are very pleased to have been able to welcome Minister Donohoe to Shannon and brief him with regard to the progress we are making and the opportunities that lie ahead for Shannon. The minister was keen to hear about our plans and very much also recognises the key role it is already playing in the ongoing economic recovery of the region.” In welcoming  Minister Donohoe and  Bus Éireann CEO, Martin Nolan, Mr Pakey said, “We look forward to working with Minister Donohoe to ensure the momentum already achieved here since the airport achieved independence in January of last year is continued. We recognise the key role …