Results 2,421-2,440 of 9,116 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Security (23 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: My Department, through the National Air Transportation Facilitation Committee (NATFaC) have convened a Summer 2023 Readiness Subgroup, which is meeting regularly to discuss preparations for what is expected to be a very busy summer season for air travel. Membership of the subgroup includes air carriers, airport operators, air navigation service providers, ground handlers and immigration...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (22 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The details requested by the Deputy are provided in the table below. The data reflect the number of passenger cars with a current motor tax at 31 December 2022 and 28 February 2023 (most recent data for 2023) and are powered by a fossil fuel. Vehicles such as hybrid are included in the data below as they have the option to use fossil fuel. The data below are extracted based on vehicles...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (22 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 81 together. The operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the Deputy's queries 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: Legislative Measures (22 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 is due to return to the Seanad for the Report and Final Stage on 28 March. Given that there are Seanad amendments, a report back to the Dáil after passing the Seanad will be required. It is anticipated that the Bill will be signed into law in quarter 2 of 2023. Work on commencement orders has begun. This is quite a large Bill covering many...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (22 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 access to information in relation to in individual cases.  Therefore, I have referred this specific component of the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. I...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (22 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 as Minister, nor my Department, have any information on individual applications. 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...

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.

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: The point has been well made. It would be problematic if speed limits kept changing so we must strike the right balance.

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 take the Deputy's point. The review has concluded on speed limits more generally. The issue raised is something we will have to consider as part of the new framework.