Results 2,961-2,980 of 9,549 for speaker:Jack Chambers

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...

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

Jack Chambers: The Deputy will be aware that the RSA has statutory responsibility for the operational aspects of the national driving test, NCT, including test applications and scheduling matters. I would first like to assure the Deputy that the Department is working closely with the authority on addressing driver testing waiting times, which is an issue of great concern. The current national average...

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

Jack Chambers: As I have said, the wait time in Ennis is 22 weeks, the wait time in Kilrush is 13 weeks and, as the Deputy has said, the wait time in Shannon is 35 weeks. I have been told by the RSA that the additional sanctioned testers are being deployed in the areas with the longest waiting times. I will ask the RSA to correspond with the Deputy on the specific deployment but we have been told they are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Policy (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I advise the Deputy that the City of Derry Airport sought to be included under the regional airports programme for the period from 2021 to 2025 and made a submission to a previous public consultation held by my Department in September 2019. As the Deputy has referenced, Derry airport asserts that its position is unique on the island of Ireland as it serves a large customer base on both sides...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Policy (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: In the context of supporting greater connectivity on the island of Ireland, the Government agreed to take forward a review of the potential to support air routes from Cork to Belfast and from Dublin to Derry, working with the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive as part of our commitments under the New Decade, New Approach Agreement. As I said, a desk-based review is being...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Airport Policy (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: On the overall point, as I said, I was in Derry yesterday at the launch of the multimodal hub, which is a good example of collaboration between North and South and which will be of enormous benefit to citizens in the region. I agree with the many posters I saw in the broader region yesterday with regard to the ongoing delays with the A5 and the dangerous roads, which obviously have an impact...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Air Safety (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy knows, SI 24 of 2023 is an unmanned aircraft systems order from the IAA. We have strong criminal sanctions in place and there is also a standard operating procedure to ensure that appropriate actions are taken when a drone is observed in the vicinity of the critical area. That includes how sightings and detections are reported and verified, notifications to air traffic control...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ports Policy (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I was about to go into detail on that. As I have said, my Department continues to engage with ISIF and the EIB regarding the availability of funding and financing options for ports in providing the necessary ORE infrastructure. Clearly, there are challenges beyond funding to achieve our ambitions. It will require improvements to the planning process, which the Government is trying to...