Results 2,861-2,880 of 9,549 for speaker:Jack Chambers

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.

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: Yes. Insurance Ireland has set out its position and made public announcements that a practical approach will be taken with motorists who are waiting on a test. People can apply to join the NCT priority waiting list and I encourage them to do that as they will receive a test date within a much shorter period. NCT officials have said they are taking a pragmatic approach. An NCT is only a...

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 driver tests, as I said earlier in reply to Deputy O'Rourke, a business case is being finalised regarding significantly increasing driver test capacity. I want to ensure that it is not a marginal change and that whatever decision we make has a strong medium-term benefit and addresses the backlog once and for all. I also want to ensure that we have a proper testing service that young...

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 lists of likely Government and Opposition Report Stage amendments are being compiled. It is hoped the Bill will return to the Seanad in April. Given that Seanad amendments have been made, it will have to go back to the Dáil. We were hopeful it will be before the House in March but it will probably be the end of April or early May. Following that, there will be a 12-week...

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: It will be once we conclude the process with the European Commission.

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: Regulations are being prepared so that we can accelerate the timeframe. It will be quarter 3 of this year when the e-scooters will all be properly regulated. It is dependent on the Bill's enactment and then the 12-week process follows that. That is the timeline.