Results 7,421-7,440 of 9,184 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tax Code (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy. I know how important this issue is generally and in his constituency. I am taking this debate on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath. At the outset, the Deputy should note that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In general, the EU VAT directive provides that all goods...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tax Code (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: I appreciate Deputy O'Sullivan raising this issue and his contributions today. We all know the real importance of the hospitality sector, which is, as the Deputy has stated, a very significant employer across the country, in our cities and towns, as well as in many rural communities. It is a sector where job opportunities exist, ranging from part-time to full-time roles. I am also...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tax Code (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: I am sorry. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is coming. Would the Deputy like to wait?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tax Code (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: Yes, but Deputy Rabbitte is coming.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Having visited Midleton following the flooding from Storm Babet, I have seen at first hand the devastating impact flooding has for home owners, businesses and the wider community. The catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme provided the Government with the evidence to launch a national and proactive programme...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: The fluvial event was a one in 100 year event.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: Cork County Council is working closely with the community during the remaining delivery of this important scheme. In the briefing provided by the OPW and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, they speak about different types of flood event. I think they reference one particular event having that time period. I take the Deputy's point on the greater frequency that is being seen there. I...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Overcrowding (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Quinlivan for raising this important issue in the House. The Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, is very concerned and conscious of the significant and sustained pressures experienced in University Hospital Limerick. He is committed to ensuring the appropriate supports are delivered to the hospital. In each of the past two years, there were approximately 80,000 attendances...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Overcrowding (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: I acknowledge the concerns of the local community and the pressures on the staff. Significant resources are being invested in University Hospital Limerick, which has seen an increase in the workforce of more than 160 whole-time equivalents since the end of 2019. Safer staffing levels for ED nursing staff have been reviewed and national approval was received to recruit additional staff...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Foreign Birth Registration (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank Senator Seery Kearney for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Passport Service of the Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for processing applications for citizenship by descent through the foreign births register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. As the Senator will be...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Foreign Birth Registration (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Senator again for the opportunity to update the Seanad on the foreign birth registration process. The passport service is fully committed to ensuring the timeframe of eight to nine months as we go forward. An average of 900 applications are approved each week, with 29,000 applications currently awaiting processing. The FBR team provides an emergency service for foreign birth...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: The Road Safety Authority is the body with statutory responsibility for the enforcement of commercial vehicle roadworthiness legislation. I have therefore referred the Deputy’s 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: Driver Test (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the information requested on specific centres is held by the agency. I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days. Regarding driver...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tax Code (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: The Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act 1952 as amended, provides that the rates of motor tax for goods vehicles apply to vehicles which are '...constructed or adapted for use and used for the conveyance of goods, or burden of any other description, in the course of trade or business...' In order to verify that a vehicle meets these criteria, the first taxing of a goods vehicle by a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: Ireland has entered into driving licence exchange agreements with seven Canadian provinces to date. These agreements recognise the relevant Canadian licences for exchange with Irish licences. The most recent agreement reached is with New Brunswick. Nova Scotia is the next Canadian province in line to be examined for a possible licence exchange agreement. Such agreements take time, as the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: The Ministerial Committee on Road Safety has oversight of delivery of the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021 - 2030. The senior official group supporting the Committee is the Road Safety Transformation Partnership Board (RSTPB), comprising officials from the Departments of Transport and Justice and bodies including the Road Safety Authority (RSA), An Garda Síochána, Transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: De réir an Achta fán Údarás um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre, 2006, is ar an Údarás um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre (an RSA) atá an fhreagracht reachtúil as gach gné den tSeirbhís Náisiúnta Tástála Tiomána. Tá mé tar éis ceist an Teachta a chur faoi bhráid an RSA dá...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for detailed reply in relation to the Portlaoise test centre. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days. Regarding driver testing delays more...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the information requested is held by that Agency. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct, detailed response. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days. Pending this more...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (23 Jan 2024)

Jack Chambers: A person can drive in Ireland on a Ukrainian driving licence if they are here under the EU Temporary Protection Directive and section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015. Their licence is recognised for the period of temporary protection. However, a person who is resident in Ireland other than under temporary protection legislation (for example, with permanent residency, on a work...