Results 2,641-2,660 of 9,550 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I appreciate the Deputy raising this important issue. In the first instance, it is important this Government fulfils its commitments to communities under the national development plan, and that means making tangible progress on a number of roads projects, including the N4 upgrade for the people of Westmeath and Longford. The profile of spending varies through the year but it is important we...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: This is a stunt.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Network (15 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for this important question. An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State’s postal service and the post office network. In addition, Irish post offices are typically independent businesses run by postmasters. Decisions relating to the network, including those relating to the size,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Network (15 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: The €10 million per annum is there to provide stabilisation and support and to underpin that key social, economic and community infrastructure in towns and villages across the country. In the absence of that Government decision and the commitment in the programme for Government to provide that support to post offices, we would have a greater difficulty. The State has stepped in to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Network (15 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank both Deputies. The €10 million per year will make a difference to those who perhaps were thinking of exiting as independent postmasters. Providing that stabilisation will enhance the network. In certain areas, there was consolidation. In other villages, there was an exit of a post office. We have to try to maintain the network, and the €10 million will do that, as a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Marine Accidents (15 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: The decision to apply for a survey, and its timing, rests with the ship owner, who must then make the necessary arrangements to facilitate both safe access onboard and the MSO’s survey requirements. The MSO does not have any enforcement powers to require the removal of the ship. Following the completion of any survey and the issue of a certificate any decision to leave the port is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Industry (14 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: There is no change regarding requirements of my Department for issuance of motor dealer identity numbers. As set out in my previous response, the requirements are similar to what is required where a motor dealer requires a trade plate, or to be an authorised motor trader with the Revenue Commissioners. My Department feel they are fair, reasonable and equitable to all motor dealers in the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (14 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: Operation of the National Car Testing (NCT) Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Payment for NCT tests is an operational matter and I have referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days. In respect of the Deputy's query regarding free...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (14 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases. The RSA operates a fair and transparent appointment scheduling process, and consequently I understand that those who are eligible and have...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Network (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I appreciate what the Deputy has said. Each year that funding for new roads projects occurs, the allocations that are required to ensure there is continued progress can vary. Some years it requires a multiple of what I have outlined earlier and when construction occurs it is at a much greater scale. To move through the different gateways and to make progress in the decision-making process,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Climate Change Policy (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: Certainly with my previous hat on, I was familiar with and was in Lixnaw with the Minister, Deputy Foley. It is a great hurling club that benefited from the sports capital programme. I will set out the facts on this, as much has been said publicly that sometimes polarises communities. It is clear that any measures will be introduced with landowners in mind and in consultation with them....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Network (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding for the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Roads Acts, 1993 to 2015, and in line with the national development plan, NDP, the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue regarding the school's application and I appreciate his remarks. As I have said, my officials in the Department are working to assess the accommodation needs of the school under my Department’s capital scheme and will be in touch with the school authorities directly as soon as possible. This assessment will consider the current and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Climate Change Policy (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan. One of the commitments in the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 is to put forward a proposal for legally binding EU nature restoration targets. The proposed regulation on nature restoration aims to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. It gives me the opportunity to set out for the House the position with regard to the status of the application for additional school accommodation made by Balla Secondary School, County Mayo. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley. Balla Secondary School is a mixed school under the...

EU-LAC International Foundation: Motion (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Agreement Establishing the EU-LAC International Foundation, signed at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on 25th October, 2016, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 30th March, 2023.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Smith for raising this important issue. We recently sanctioned 75 driving tester posts which will increase the number from approximately 100 last year. Thirty testers were recruited at the end of last year, so more than 200 driving testers will be in employment this year. There should therefore be an improvement in waiting times toward the tail end of this year. There is a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cancer Services (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank Senator Ardagh for bringing this important issue to the House. I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. As a Government, we are fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service. Lung cancer screening is receiving increasing attention and the international evidence in this area continues...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cancer Services (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank Senator Ardagh. I reiterate that the national screening advisory committee will consider the updated European Council recommendation on cancer screening and advise the Minister for Health and his Department on this evidence. We are committed to the further expansion of screening in Ireland in accordance with internationally accepted criteria and best practice. I assure the Senator...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Senator for the opportunity to address the House on this important matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. I acknowledge the important service Bantry General Hospital provides to a large and unique geographical area, from the peninsulas in the south west to Clonakilty and Timoleague in the east. Bantry General Hospital has received a substantial allocation...