Results 2,241-2,260 of 9,563 for speaker:Jack Chambers

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

Jack Chambers: The Deputy will be aware that my Department had expected to commence the parts of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 relating to powered personal transporters (PPTs) and to introduce regulations for e-scooters following the EU TRIS process under the Single Market Transparency Directive (EU) 2015/1535. Some technical and legal issues were identified during drafting, in part taking account of...

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

Jack Chambers: The average processing time for an application to my Department's Mercantile Marine Office (MMO), as stated on the Seafers.ie website, is 10 days. In cases where there is missing or insufficient information, the turnaround times may be longer. In such instances, the applicant will be contacted to notify them of any additional information required. The MMO always makes its best endeavours to...

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

Jack Chambers: As the deputy will be aware, daa has the statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport. Accordingly, as the issue raised by the deputy is an operational one, I have forwarded your request to daa for a direct response. If a response is not received within 10 days, please contact my private office

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

Jack Chambers: The National Aviation Policy recognises the important role that regional airports play in their areas and in regional development. Government policy on regional airports seeks to optimise conditions for connectivity and regional development, both for the social and economic benefits that can be derived from facilitating access to and from the associated regions. That is why...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: Operation of the National Car Testing (NCT) Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply and I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days. Considerable progress has been made this year to address the long-term staffing issues which caused...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (29 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: Among its responsibilities, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) gathers road safety data and conducts research on road safety issues to inform the development of policy. I have therefore 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 is not received within 10 days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (29 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: Robust legislation is in place in Ireland to regulate against the improper maintenance and upkeep of vehicle exhaust systems. The Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 (SI 190 of 1963) require vehicles to be fitted with a silencer or other device suitable for reducing to a reasonable level noise caused by the escape of exhaust gases from the engine and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coroners Service (28 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: Ms Lucas was a very highly regarded and valued volunteer in the Coast Guard who tragically lost her life in the course of duty on the 12thSeptember 2016. The Department of Transport is engaging fully in supporting the Coroner’s Inquest into her death and the identification of witnesses to attend the Inquest is a matter for the Coroner. The family have been advised that the Minister is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (28 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of driver testing. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department hold information on individual cases. I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Accidents (28 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: As one of its functions, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) gathers data and conducts research to inform policy in the area of road safety. As such, the RSA holds statistics on fatalities on our road network. I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for a more detailed, direct reply on the specific issue raised. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (28 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Road Traffic Measures Bill 2023 was approved for drafting by Cabinet on 17 October. This Bill is being drafted and aims to strengthen our response to the worrying trend of rising road fatalities and serious accident. It should be noted that the recently passed Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 also introduced a number of measures which will also increase road safety, In addition,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann (28 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, and for decisions in relation to the routes of these...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy. I know she raised this matter of capital infrastructure and a park-and-ride facility as a Topical Issue. It is something we have reflected to the NTA. I am happy to engage with the Deputy and Deputy Smith on concerns relating to the ongoing issue of buses not showing up, in addition to driver shortages. There have been particular issues in counties Cavan and Meath...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Policies (23 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: Under section 74 of the Roads Act 1993, it is possible to prescribe classes of road races for which local authority approval must be sought in advance, and for which there can then be road closures. A race which falls within prescribed classes and is not licensed is illegal, with penalties for the organiser. I understand that no classes of race have ever been prescribed under this section. I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (23 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: The driver certificate of professional competence (CPC) process is based on European Union Directive 2002/2561,on the initial qualifications and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers. The Directive was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence) (No. 2) Regulations 2008...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Correspondence (23 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I have directed my officials to prioritise your correspondence. If you do not receive a reply within ten working days, please contact my private office.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (22 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this important matter in the House today. I acknowledge the very serious road safety concerns he raised and the fact that the fatality rate and collision rate has been seriously high and concerning on this road. Many lives have been lost. The Senator mentioned 24 deaths, which is shocking. Particularly as the population increases, as part of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (22 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I will reflect on the feedback the Senator has given and the strong representations he has made. He has also been clear about his concerns relating to the high collision rate on the road. The high collision rate will not improve with increases in the population and the increased use of the road. It has an important North-South dimension. Engineering and infrastructure are of paramount...

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

Jack Chambers: Individuals with strokes (including those that affect the occipital lobes) or other medical conditions that potentially impact their ability to drive must submit a medical report, after consultation with a doctor, to the National Driver Licencing Service (NDLS). The information provided by the medical report is considered by the NDLS when determining if an application for a driving licence or...