Results 2,741-2,760 of 9,158 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (19 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test. I am informed that the current increase in demand for driving tests and the time to invitation for learner drivers has a number of contributing factors which include: an increase in learner permits in circulation which has grown by about 30% since Q3 2019; increased capacity in the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (19 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 to 195, inclusive, together. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test and deals with all application and scheduling matters. I have therefore referred the specific parts of the questions related to category B tests in Tipperary to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Driver Test (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: I absolutely agree, and I welcome the Deputy’s positive and constructive contribution on this. We have to build greater capacity. The 30% increase in permanent headcount will make an impact and, as I said, they are being deployed with a focus very much on the centres that are above the national average, which should benefit Skibbereen. More generally, the Deputy is correct that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Driver Test (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: I appreciate the kind words of Deputy O'Sullivan. It was great to be down in west Cork and see huge ambition in sport. However, now in a new role, we have to resolve some of the issues the Deputy is having in regard to transport. I know the difficulty and anxiety the delays in driver testing is causing many people who are waiting excessive times. It is unacceptable. As the Deputy knows,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: The details requested by the Deputy on the number of electric State vehicles, as a percentage of the overall number of State-owned vehicles, for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 are provided in the table below. The data reflects the number of vehicles licensed (with a current motor tax) at 31 December 2020, 2021 and 2022. The overall number of vehicles licensed for the same periods is provided....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Data (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: The information available to the Department of Transport is the number of vehicles licensed (with a current motor tax). As agreed with the Deputy, this information as at 31 December 2022 is provided in the table below. The Deputy may also be interested to note that the Central Statistics Office publish information on vehicle registrations and vehicles licensed for the first time. Their...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy will be aware, following an extensive procurement process in 2021, a new Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services contract was awarded by my Department for the provision of Government subsidised air services between Donegal and Dublin. This contract, which is in accordance with EU Regulation 1008/2008, commenced on 26th February 2022 and marks Government’s commitment...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: I have no plans to establish an independent inquiry into the management of the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG). I welcome the very positive engagement between IRCG management and IRCG volunteer representatives - the Coastal Unit Advisory Group - in agreeing a renewed and refreshed terms of reference for the Group during 2022. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy will be aware, daa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport including matters related to the development of infrastructure.  daa has submitted a planning application for the construction of the underpass to Fingal County Council and that decision is currently awaited. Accordingly, as daa would be in the best position to give the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority under the relevant legislation. I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply. If she has not heard from them in 10 working days, I would ask that she contact my office directly.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Maritime Safety (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: Vessel owners and operators are obliged to manage their ships to ensure compliance with the applicable requirements of the Merchant Shipping and Sea Pollution Acts and relevant European Union legislative requirements. This includes ensuring that they are safe when in port as well as at sea. As part of this process, they need to ascertain how they intend to operate their ship and then make an...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: The operation of the National Car Test Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred the 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.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: It is widely recognised that Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) will play a key part in decarbonising the aviation sector and support us in meeting our climate goals. At European level, the ‘Regulation on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport’, commonly known as ReFuelEU Aviation, will impose obligations on fuel suppliers, airlines, and airports within its...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test.  This includes all driving test applications and scheduling matters. I have therefore referred the first part of the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days. I understand that due...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the National driving test.  This includes all driving test applications and scheduling matters. I have therefore referred the first part of the question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would ask the deputy to contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days. I understand that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test and deals with all application and scheduling matters. Therefore I have referred the relevant parts of the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days. On the broader issue of driver testing delays,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test and deals with all application and scheduling matters. Therefore I have referred the relevant parts of the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days. On the broader issue of driver testing delays,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Parking Provision (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Disabled Parking Permit (also known as the European Parking Card or Disabled Parking Badge) is available to people living in Ireland whose mobility is severely restricted, whether they are drivers or passengers, and also to those who are registered blind.  The possibility of extending the eligibility criteria for the scheme to include people with certain invisible disabilities,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (18 Jan 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: Airport Policy (18 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: daa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport, which they do on a commercial basis with no recourse to Exchequer funding.  On that basis, investment in Dublin Airport is solely a matter for daa. That said, Government acknowledges the value of aviation in supporting economic development, international connectivity and tourism via...