Results 2,521-2,540 of 9,116 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (8 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: Under Section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, each local authority may make bye-laws for the control and regulation of parking on public roads in its own functional area. The making of bye-laws is a reserved function of the elected members of the council and I have no role that process. I have no plans to amend the powers of local authorities in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (8 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's query 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 (8 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases. I believe the RSA operates a fair and transparent appointment scheduling process, such that those who are eligible and have been waiting the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (8 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 81 together. Under European Directive 2014/45/EU on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers, Ireland, like all Member States, must comply with the minimum specified intervals for carrying out such inspections. This is given effect in Irish law by the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (SI 415/2017), as amended....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (8 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred the specific part of the Question in relation to the Waterford testing centres to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (8 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred this 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. However I would also like to assure the Deputy that a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (8 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred this 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. On the broader issue of delays the RSA is endeavouring to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Vehicle and Driver File (7 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The details requested by the Deputy are provided in the table below. The data reflect the number of state owned vehicles licensed (with a current motor tax) as at 31 December each year from 2018 to 2022. There were increased in 2022 for Electric (+54%), Petrol/Electric (+225%) and Petrol/Hybrid (+129%) from the 2021 figures. The overall number of vehicles licensed for the same periods is also...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (7 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I am aware that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) was considering proposals to reduce opening hours in certain NDLS offices, to more closely align front office capacity with local demand for face to face services. When I became aware of these proposals, I asked the Authority to pause their plans, to allow for a fuller evaluation of their impact on broader Government policy objectives. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (7 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases. I believe the RSA operates a fair and transparent appointment scheduling process, such that those who are eligible and have been waiting the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Military Aircraft (7 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), as the State's Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), is the body responsible for the provision of air navigation and air traffic management services in Irish controlled airspace. This includes airspace designated to the Irish State by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, known as the Shannon Flight Information Region, and also an area of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fishing Industry (7 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Mercantile Marine Office (MMO) of my Department has the referenced application in hand and is processing it. It is suggested that the applicant should liaise directly with the MMO in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (7 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: Coast Guard helicopter services are provided under contract by CHC Ireland. The contract provides for the provision of four helicopters, delivering a 24 hour service out of four bases, at Sligo, Shannon, Waterford and Dublin. In addition to provision of Maritime and Inland Search and Rescue services, Coast Guard Helicopters also provides a day and night air ambulance service to offshore...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Safety (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Minister and I are actively engaging with the DAA and other relevant State agencies on the recent incidents of illegal drone activity at Dublin Airport and on potential measures to deter any future activity of this nature. We received briefings from relevant bodies after both the St. Brigid's weekend incidents and the most recent incident on 21 February. We will continue to support the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Safety (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Farrell. As I have said, notwithstanding concerns, we are looking to progress urgently the commercially available counter-drone solutions at airports. We are also looking at other jurisdictions, as the Deputy stated. Alongside this we need to ensure there is appropriate engagement in a legal and regulatory context. This work is accelerating quickly. We acknowledge it is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Safety (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I assure Deputy Durkan that this is being taken very seriously and urgent action is being taken. A number of meetings and engagements have taken place on the potential purchasing of counter-drone technology. In response to the issue of criminal enforcement, significant penalties are available, including sentences up to life imprisonment. This is a very serious sanction. The Deputies...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Driver Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank both Deputies for their suggestions. There is an important road safety component for learner drivers which has been developed over many years. The solution is the sanction of additional testers rather than unwinding or undoing evidence-based road safety measures that have been developed over a number of years. We must try to assist learner drivers to get a test and bring the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Department is committed to ensuring that the Irish Coast Guard service remains fully capable and equipped to meet current and future challenges. An open recruitment process is currently under way to fill several senior leadership positions in the Irish Coast Guard, IRCG, including a new appointment at assistant secretary level to lead this vital service and an open recruitment process...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: As I said, a new assistant secretary, who will serve as a member of the Department of Transport's management board, will oversee a review of all aspects, including strategy, structure, roles, culture and governance of the Coast Guard service. This will be the first time an assistant secretary will be appointed to do that. The appointment was placed and advertised through the Public...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputies for their suggestions and input. To respond to Deputy O'Rourke's point, relevant legislation is going through pre-legislative scrutiny. I will await the recommendations of the committee on that legislation. On the broader point, as I said, the role of volunteers is extremely important. It is for that reason that we are appointing someone at assistant secretary...