Results 2,221-2,240 of 9,563 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Driver Test (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank both Deputies. As Deputy Griffin said, we will be monitoring this very closely in order that we do not yo-yo back into a situation that is just unacceptable. On Deputy Tully's point, when I entered the Department earlier in January, part of the challenge was that it was clear there was a total mismatch between demand and the capacity of the system. Increasing the number of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Driver Test (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: As I said, the RSA manages the contractual position between itself and prospective testers. As the Deputy has said, we should be using every day, where possible, to ensure that people can get tests. Obviously, my Department will reflect on what the Deputy has said. I am not aware of the specific instance to which she referred. I will ask the Department to reflect on what she has said in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Driver Test (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 18 together. I thank Deputies Griffin and Tully who have raised this important issue. The Deputy will be aware that the Road Safety Authority, RSA, has statutory responsibility for the operational aspects of the national driver testing service, including in the context of test applications and scheduling matters. I assure the Deputy, however, that my...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Road Safety (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I will come back to that point.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Road Safety (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I was about to come to that point. I will check the legal position on imported vehicles, how they are defined and whether they are deemed new imported vehicles. Obviously, if it is a new vehicle or car in an EU showroom, that is one thing, whereas an imported vehicle is defined as a second-hand vehicle. I will check to find out how that will apply. The current taxation position has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Road Safety (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: We hope to have the guidance on speed limits prepared and finalised in quarter one of next year and the legislation passed as well. That will then issue to local authorities to allow them to conduct speed limit reviews. It will be a devolved function of local authorities to implement the new default limits and operate the guidance. That will progress through 2024. I have been clear that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Road Safety (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: The timelines are those I set out in September when I outlined what was in the speed limit review. Our intention was always to issue guidance to local authorities in quarter 1 of next year and then, through 2024, speed limit reviews would be undertaken by local authorities and new speed limits decided on. If we had followed through on the Deputy's proposal, we probably would have been...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Road Safety (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Naughten for raising this important issue. The rising trend in road deaths and injuries is of particular concern, as is the very serious trend in the numbers of vulnerable road users. It is a source of great concern to me and to my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Ryan. Ensuring the vehicles driven on our roads, and each of the components of these vehicles, are safe,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Road Safety (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: The EU regulation on this updated the previous 2009 regulation on safety technologies. It requires all cars, vans, trucks and buses to be equipped, in addition to tyre pressure monitoring systems, with minimum safety systems such as intelligent speed assistance, alcohol interlock installation facilitation, driver drowsiness and attention warning, advanced driver distraction warning,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Airport Policy (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for his question. I will give him a different-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Airport Policy (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: There are other parties in government. Increasing the capacity of Dublin Airport is in line with national aviation policy, which recognises the strategic importance of that airport in meeting national social and economic policy goals and includes a specific objective of developing it as a hub airport with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emerging global markets. While...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Airport Policy (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: Dublin Airport is a key driver of growth in our economy and the international gateway for trade, inward investment and tourism. In addition, and as the Deputy will be aware, census 2022 showed that Ireland's population had increased by 8% between 2016 and 2022 and by 31% since 2002. While alternatives to air travel, such as rail, can provide essential connectivity for many of our European...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Airport Policy (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: The increase in the capacity of Dublin Airport is in line with our national aviation policy, which recognises the strategic importance of the airport in meeting national social and economic policy goals and includes a specific objective of developing it as a hub airport with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emerging global markets. We are an island economy and have...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Road Safety (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: The trends we are witnessing on roads this year are of particular concern and devastating, with road fatalities and serious injuries continuing to rise. We have experienced a growing trend in three of the past four years, this year being especially worrying. As a response to this trend, the Cabinet approved the drafting of a road traffic measures Bill on 17 October. My Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Airports (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 28 together. I thank the Deputies for their interest in the Regional Airports Programme 2021–2025, which calls for a mid-term review of the Programme to be completed this year. This Programme provides support to Ireland’s smallest airports i.e., those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than 1 million annual...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 56 together. The government supports the policy objective of reducing aviation related emissions. As aviation emissions are outside the scope of Climate Action Plan targets, efforts to mitigate the climate impact of air transport operations are generally being pursued internationally through what are known as a 'basket of measures' which include...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: Ireland’s current framework for road safety is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. This was launched in December 2021 and follows international best practice, aligns with EU and UN targets, and is based on the Safe System approach. The strategy is being delivered in partnership by my Department, the RSA, the Gardai and other state agencies. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 53 together. Under the revised EU General Safety Regulation 2019/2144, advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) technologies have been mandatory for all new types of car placed on the market in the EU since July 2022. These requirements will apply to all new cars sold in the EU from July 2024 onwards, with later dates of implementation for some...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Airport Authority (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: Noise mitigation at Dublin Airport is subject to substantial regulation and oversight as well as best practice mitigation measures. These measures are designed to address long-term adverse effects of aircraft noise on health and quality of life, whilst also facilitating the sustainable development of the airport and the broader economy. The Aircraft Noise Competent Authority...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Accidents (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 275 together. Among its functions, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) conducts research and analysis of road safety issues. It is an essential reservoir of knowledge and expertise in the area of road safety, and my Department engages with it on an ongoing basis on all relevant matters. This includes engagement where legislation may be required. The...