Results 6,561-6,580 of 9,184 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Driver Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: As I have said, the wait time in Ennis is 22 weeks, the wait time in Kilrush is 13 weeks and, as the Deputy has said, the wait time in Shannon is 35 weeks. I have been told by the RSA that the additional sanctioned testers are being deployed in the areas with the longest waiting times. I will ask the RSA to correspond with the Deputy on the specific deployment but we have been told they are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Driver Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank both Deputies for their suggestions. There is an important road safety component for learner drivers which has been developed over many years. The solution is the sanction of additional testers rather than unwinding or undoing evidence-based road safety measures that have been developed over a number of years. We must try to assist learner drivers to get a test and bring the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Department is committed to ensuring that the Irish Coast Guard service remains fully capable and equipped to meet current and future challenges. An open recruitment process is currently under way to fill several senior leadership positions in the Irish Coast Guard, IRCG, including a new appointment at assistant secretary level to lead this vital service and an open recruitment process...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: As I said, a new assistant secretary, who will serve as a member of the Department of Transport's management board, will oversee a review of all aspects, including strategy, structure, roles, culture and governance of the Coast Guard service. This will be the first time an assistant secretary will be appointed to do that. The appointment was placed and advertised through the Public...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputies for their suggestions and input. To respond to Deputy O'Rourke's point, relevant legislation is going through pre-legislative scrutiny. I will await the recommendations of the committee on that legislation. On the broader point, as I said, the role of volunteers is extremely important. It is for that reason that we are appointing someone at assistant secretary...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Safety (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Minister and I are actively engaging with the DAA and other relevant State agencies on the recent incidents of illegal drone activity at Dublin Airport and on potential measures to deter any future activity of this nature. We received briefings from relevant bodies after both the St. Brigid's weekend incidents and the most recent incident on 21 February. We will continue to support the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Safety (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Farrell. As I have said, notwithstanding concerns, we are looking to progress urgently the commercially available counter-drone solutions at airports. We are also looking at other jurisdictions, as the Deputy stated. Alongside this we need to ensure there is appropriate engagement in a legal and regulatory context. This work is accelerating quickly. We acknowledge it is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Safety (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I assure Deputy Durkan that this is being taken very seriously and urgent action is being taken. A number of meetings and engagements have taken place on the potential purchasing of counter-drone technology. In response to the issue of criminal enforcement, significant penalties are available, including sentences up to life imprisonment. This is a very serious sanction. The Deputies...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (1 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy may be aware, the monitoring and enforcement of border security at Irish ports is not under the remit of my Department. Responsibility for such matters lies with the Minister for Justice and is enforced by An Garda Síochána. My Department will cooperate with any request for engagement from the Department of Justice on border security issues.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Trade Data (1 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The total tonnage throughput for all the ports is available on the Central Statistics Office websites at:  www.cso.ie/en/statistics/transport/statisticsofporttraffic/ The total tonnage throughput information for Dublin Port is set out in the table below. - 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 CSO Total Throughput all modes ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (1 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together. Section 13 of the Harbours Act, 1996 provides that port companies may raise charges on ships, cargo and passengers. Article 13 of the Port Regulation (2017/352) obliges Member States to ensure that port infrastructure charges are levied by port companies such as Dublin Port Company (DPC). The regulation also requires port companies to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (1 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: Driver CPC is a Certificate of Professional Competence, which is required by truck and bus drivers who intend to drive for a living. Step 1 of the initial CPC qualification is a theory test for category C or D (truck or bus). Step 2 is a two hour case study theory test.  Steps 1 and 2 are conducted by Prometric on behalf of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). To assist candidates with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: As Minister for Transport, I was delighted to be invited to launch Shannon Foynes Port Company’s review of their Vision 2041 Masterplan in November 2022. Since then, there has been ongoing engagement with my department and the provision of support and assistance to realise this project. Shannon Foynes Port Company is Ireland’s second largest port based on tonnage and is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The National Car Testing (NCT) Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and it is the RSA which is responsible for the award and management of the contract for the NCTS with its contractor, Applus Inspection Services Ireland Ltd. As Minister of State for Transport, I do not have a role in operational matters for the NCT, including the appointment of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 28 together. The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). However, I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is working closely with the Authority to address the issue of Driver Testing waiting times, which is at unacceptable levels across the state. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: Shannon Foynes Port Company launched its 30-Year Masterplan, Vision 2041, in 2013. Vision 2041 set out a strategy for the further development of the port and identified the opportunity ahead for what were then only emerging sectors, such as offshore renewables. The Port determined its future land requirements based on the criteria outlined in the Masterplan and acquired c.38ha in 2016. These...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have therefore 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. I am aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS are currently facing to meet the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 64 and 74 together. Minister Ryan and I take the matter of illegal drone use at airports extremely seriously.  In addition to the considerable disruption caused to passengers, this activity poses a genuine safety risk to aviation. Irish airports have procedures in place to handle the risk posed by illegal drone activity, developed in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: Regional connectivity is of critical importance to this Government.  I am very aware that the current government funded public service obligation (PSO) air service contract in place on the Donegal/Dublin route provides the people and businesses in the North-West with vital daily air services to Dublin..  As well as supporting Government’s commitment to balanced regional...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred this question 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.