Results 2,541-2,560 of 9,563 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: It has already.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: I always enjoyed chemistry but I have to get a refresh on my ammonia.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Chair. But to be serious about this, the Deputy is correct. Certainly in the maritime sector, the European file is neutral as to what fuels will be used in the future, but in terms of the wider ambition on greenhouse gas emissions reduction, ammonia is referenced as one of those fuels. Obviously, we have ongoing engagement with our colleagues in the Department of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: There is huge ambition, and the task force report speaks to that huge potential around sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen. Shannon Airport is a very important intermodal transport hub, so it involves integrating that with logistics and the digital potential within the region. We are absolutely clear with the task force report announced at the weekend and the hydrogen strategy. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: I share many of the Deputy's perspectives on that. There is a bit of a contradiction at the moment between the intra-European position, the wider international position and the gap there. Part of that is that we need to have climate ambition but there is also that mismatch between the existing emissions trading system and, of course, CORSIA. I acknowledge some of the concerns in that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: On the first question, we visited the tremendous staff in the motor tax office who do incredible work. We saw the volume of paper that arrives there, as well as the incredible work of all the public servants working there. The Deputy is correct that the existing conditions are problematic. We have been engaging on that internally within the Department. Obviously, it is in co-ordination...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: The review will obviously produce a report and we will have to make a decision at that point. Decisions are regularly made by Government outside of the strict parameters of specific budget day decisions within Departments. The Department of Transport has a multibillion euro budget and the regional airports programme is a very small fraction of it, to give assurance around that. We are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. On his first point, he is correct in saying that it is not a case of one size fits all. People who are going to Dublin Airport today want to go on their holidays. Some others are going by rail and sail, and it is good we are seeing improved figures on that, but for many people, we need international connectivity. We also need it to bring tourists here....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: On that point, we have some figures on Dublin Airport and Cork, for example, and they have significantly reduced their emissions since 2018. I will try to get them here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: I have them here. In 2022, Dublin Airport reduced its emissions by 24%, and in Cork Airport the figure was 38%, compared with the 2018 base, which is based on average.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: These are in the areas of energy management, LED upgrade works, an ambitious fleet replacement programme and participation in the SEAI and OPW Reduce Your Use campaigns. Within the airports themselves, they are really embracing sustainability. They have a big ambition-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: Yes, and this is similarly the case for our regional airports. A lot of what we funded through the regional airports programme is very much focused on sustainability. Shannon Airport, Ireland West Airport, Donegal Airport and Kerry Airport all have big ambitions for sustainability. The emissions reductions demonstrate the progress they have made.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: Exactly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: As I have said earlier-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: It is also important to look at the fact that the success of aviation has been because of the liberalisation of the market and allowing competitiveness to benefit consumers. When there is that mismatch between intra-EU and international, there is a market distortion. It is welcome that the European Commission is going to review it in 2026.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: As the procurement process is subject to legal challenge before the Commercial Court, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on that matter in any way. I know the matter of MetroLink and the cost of the project were discussed at the Committee of Public Accounts recently. The Minister has direct responsibility for that within the Department, but I will ask the Department to provide...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: I have huge respect for every member of the committees and the work they do. I am not sure what engagement the committee has had with the Department on the matters highlighted by the Senator. If the committee is seeking information, where appropriate, we will ask the officials to provide it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: That is in Europe.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: Within ReFuelEU and the existing European files, there is a minimum mandate across aviation. That demonstrates that there is a necessity for demand and that gives regulatory certainty to the players within the aviation sector. Now, it falls to the airlines, the airports and the producers to scale that level of capacity. That is why Ryanair and others have signed contracts with many of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Decarbonisation Strategy for Aviation and Shipping Sectors: Minister of State at the Department of Transport (12 Jul 2023)

Jack Chambers: The obligation is on the fuel supplier. Obviously, SAF is a blended fuel. There are fines if the suppliers do not meet the targets.