Results 6,621-6,640 of 9,184 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (21 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), this includes the scheduling of driving tests. Neither I nor my department have the power to intervene in individual cases. Therefore, I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (21 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: As the promotion of public awareness of road safety matters, including intoxicated driving, is a statutory function of the Road Safety Authority, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask that the Deputy contact my offices if no response is received within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Provision (21 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: My remit as Minister for Transport is limited to drafting of legislation underpinning the Disabled Parking Scheme, encompassing such aspects as eligibility for a disabled parking permit and the nomination of specific bodies responsible for issuing permits. The provision and physical location of disabled parking bays on public roads is a matter for each local authority. Road traffic law...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (21 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), this includes the scheduling of driving tests. Therefore, I have referred the 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.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Correspondence (21 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Deputy has asked if matters in relation to a pension for a person (details supplied) will be addressed. I understand that similar cases have been the subject of a number of reviews by my predecessors and senior civil servants in my Department over the years in which legal advice was sought on the matter. The position, as I understand it, is that the person concerned and some other...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pension Provisions (21 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: My Department officials have examined the pension increase proposal submitted by Dublin Port Company in July 2022 in conjunction with officials in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. An assessment of the proposal has also been carried out by NewERA. I am engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the matter with a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (21 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: Failing to surrender a licence following disqualification is an offence and is a matter for the Garda Síochána. It is an offence to drive while disqualified, whether or not the licence has been surrendered. Once a driver is disqualified, their licence is no longer valid. In a significant share of disqualification cases, the driver in question has not had a licence at all. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Human Trafficking (21 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: In its role as maritime safety regulator, the Marine Survey Office (MSO) carries out surveys and inspections on all types of vessels for compliance with safety, security, pollution prevention and living and working conditions. These surveys and inspections are carried out on all Irish vessels wherever they may be and on foreign flagged vessels when calling to Irish ports. In carrying out its...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Human Trafficking (21 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy will be aware, daa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin and Cork Airports. Airport police, as employees of the relevant airport, are "authorised officers"under the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998, as amended. As such, matters in relation to staffing issues, including staff training are a matter for daa. I have therefore forwarded...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach and all committee members for inviting me here this afternoon to discuss my remit at the Department of Transport since my appointment in mid-December. Since my appointment as Minister of State with special responsibility for international and road transport and logistics, I have sought to progress work relating to road transport and road safety,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: To give a further update on that, the drone technology has been purchased. The DAA have purchased that and the process around purchasing the specific equipment involved has concluded. They are finalising the regulatory and training process at the moment with the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, and a statutory instrument will probably be required through the Irish Aviation Authority to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: On the previous point, I will just say that the statutory instrument has actually been made by the Irish Aviation Authority around the regulatory process. On the other point, there is a sound evidence base in ensuring any learner driver has a qualified driver with him or her. My priority is to address the long waiting times we have seen. We are finalising a business case within the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: As I said, there are 55 non-EU testers being recruited at the moment. We expect they will be in place by mid-April. That should bring the testing capacity to approximately 40,000 per week. The average waiting time at the moment is 28 days. The priority waiting list is reducing, though. As the Deputy will be aware, it was over 60,000 and it is now below 50,000. Obviously, this has been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: Approximately one month ago, I announced the haulage support scheme, which is €18 million. The applications for that commenced this week and are being administered by prioritising the smallest cohort of hauliers first. Then it is weighted and the allocations are spread out from there, where there is an increased allocation from one to five vehicles. However, the haulage support...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I acknowledge the Deputy's concerns. Part of the reason for investment in the safe routes to schools scheme, the overall capital project and the active travel policy is to enhance the infrastructure to promote active travel. This morning, the road safety ministerial committee met the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy James Browne, in the Department of Justice....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I appreciate the Deputy's input and that of his colleagues on this important issue for workers in the mid-west region. Extensive engagement has taken place and we are at the point of conclusion. I will bring a memorandum to Government on this in the coming weeks. I am confident that we are in a position to conclude the agreed financial support for this year, and to put this on a stable and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: There is a speed limit review, which has been ongoing for quite a period. I am due to receive the report in the next couple of weeks. The report will set out a new framework to address speed limits. I acknowledge the point made by the Deputy that a five-year period does not make sense if there is a serious accident blackspot or area.