Results 1,981-2,000 of 9,116 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (10 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: In answering the Deputy’s question, it is important to note that 'private jets' are not specifically defined in national, European or international law. The nature of ownership does not arise as a specific categorisation and therefore data is not collected specifically in relation to ‘private jets’. Data in relation to flight types are categorised based on the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (10 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 69 together. The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 was signed into law on 23 June. The Act creates a new vehicle category called powered personal transporters (PPTs), which includes e-scooters and future micro-mobility devices as needed. Unlike mechanically propelled vehicles such as cars, trucks and buses, PPTs do not require registration, tax or motor...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (10 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: This is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (10 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 79 and 90 together. The Speed Limit Review is a key deliverable in Phase 1 of the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021 - 2030. This action is now complete and the Review, which was published in September, looked at Irish experience to date, best practice internationally and is underpinned by extensive transport modelling. The review was undertaken by a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (10 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes holding information on tests for each county. As such, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply on the specific issue raised. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Safety (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which to my mind has two fundamental aspects. The first is education and awareness, as suggested by the Deputy, and the second is improvements on the ground around schools. I am glad that good progress has been made in regard to both aspects. The Deputy will probably be aware of the Your Journey Counts campaign, which is a multi-platform...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Safety (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: As I stated, as part of the wider public engagement and communications strategy, we will be highlighting the issues the Deputy raised. They merit expansion, in particular the issues relating to idling at school gates. We must accelerate the infrastructure delivery of the Safe Routes to School programme as a preventative measure so that within 200 m of schools, as the Deputy mentioned, we...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Safety (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank both Deputies. The evidence is clear. An excessive number of trips to and around schools will have an impact on overall air quality. The science is clear on that. That is why we have to work with communities and partner with them to provide safe routes to schools. We must provide a safe alternative for families and children. If we look at the last 30 years, we are all aware of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Road Safety (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: The evidence from the RSA shows that more than a small minority of people are speeding. Unfortunately, that is the case. We know that excessive speed continues to be a leading contributory factor in fatal and serious injury collisions in Ireland. Reducing speed has been fundamentally proven to significantly reduce the risk of death or serious injuries in road collisions. The WHO has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Road Safety (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy said, the infrastructure plays a key role in improving road safety. That, complemented with a reduction in speed limits will play an important role in reducing fatalities on our roads. The current default baseline of 80 km/h for local or rural roads is completely out of sync with what the appropriate speed should be on such roads. We welcome constructive input from all...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Road Safety (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: There has been a worrying rise in road fatalities this year, with August the worst month on Irish roads since June 2012. There have been 136 fatalities on our roads this year, an increase of 23 on the same period last year. Almost 850 people have also been seriously injured in collisions. This is unacceptable. My Department, the Road Safety Authority, RSA, An Garda Síochána and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: My Department engages with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) on an extensive range of road safety matters. On the specific issue of the dangers of deer on the roads, there has not been any direct engagement with the Authority. The appropriate road signage, including hazard warning signs regarding deer or other wild animals is the responsibility of the local authorities. However, the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. 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 affecting many throughout the State, including people in Cavan. The driver testing service has...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: The operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have referred the Deputy's queries on these matters 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. As this is a matter of high public interest, of financial impact to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Regional Airports Programme (RAP) for the period 2021 to 2025 supports Ireland’s smallest airports i.e., those that provide connectivity and handle fewer than 1 million passengers annually (based on an average over the two preceding financial years). By virtue of its size and passenger numbers Shannon Airport was not eligible for funding under the RAP until 2022. At that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I would like to thank the deputy for his question. I wish to advise the deputy that I meet regularly with the CEOs of daa and the Irish Aviation Authority and have also had engagement with Fingal County Council and political representatives representing constituents who are affected by aircraft noise in their areas. As the deputy is aware, daa has the statutory responsibility to operate,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: The driver testing service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which has increased by 28% compared with 2021 figures. In response to these pressures, earlier this year the Authority reviewed the capacity of the driver testing service and, following a request for additional resources, my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: As Minister for Transport, I am responsible for drafting road traffic legislation and setting penalties for traffic offences. Enforcement is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána, under the oversight of my colleague, the Minister for Justice. Therefore, I can address the report’s recommendations for legislation under my remit. Firstly, I note the committee's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175, 176, 177 and 178 together. The contract for the provision of next generation Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) aviation services was signed with Bristow Ireland Limited on 11 August 2023. The contract provides for the operation of four helicopter bases all on 24/7 duty, with the addition of a Coast Guard Fixed Wing aircraft service for the first time. The contract...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: The contract for the provision of next generation Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) aviation services was signed with Bristow Ireland Limited on 11 August 2023. The contract provides for the operation of four helicopter bases all on 24/7 duty, with the addition of a Coast Guard Fixed Wing aircraft service for the first time. The contract for the new IRCG aviation service includes the standard...