Results 2,981-3,000 of 9,549 for speaker:Jack Chambers

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

Jack Chambers: Irish ports are at various stages of development in advancing renewable energy, RE, infrastructural projects. It is only when the respective business cases are completed that any funding gap can then be identified. Ensuring developers and ports collaborate is of paramount importance. Current Government policy is that Irish ports receive no Exchequer funding, with the State only stepping in...

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

Jack Chambers: Yes, but market failure has to be determined in accordance with Article 107.

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

Jack Chambers: The safety of aircraft and people on the ground is my primary concern relating to illegal drone use. There are EU and national rules in place around the use of drones, including an exclusion zone of 5 km around airports. The misuse of drones is an offence. In response to illegal use of drones, summary proceedings and proceedings on indictment can be brought under both civil aviation...

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

Jack Chambers: We are constantly engaging with the relevant authorities - the IAA and the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA. A meeting was held as recently as last Saturday to try to make progress with the purchase of counter-drone technology for Dublin Airport, and there will be further engagements this week between the IAA, the DAA and the Garda. As part of this, we are looking at comparative examples...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Aviation Industry (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: Sustainable aviation fuels, SAFs, are widely recognised as a key element in our efforts to reduce aviation-related emissions in line with our climate goals. This is reflected in the internationally endorsed basket of measures for emissions reduction, which includes increased SAF use, alongside aircraft technology, operational improvements and market-based measures. From both a production...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Aviation Industry (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The SAF industry throughout Europe is at an early stage of development and, in an Irish context, Ireland is not traditionally a fuel producer. It imports more than 90% of its aviation fuel. Within national energy policy, there is a clear focus on significantly increasing the production of renewable energies and as part of this we are developing a national hydrogen strategy. It is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Aviation Industry (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I share the Deputy's ambition on this and on taking the correct steps on climate action. It is clear that the scaling up of the use of SAF will be crucial in facilitating decarbonisation in the aviation sector. With regard to the next steps, the ReFuelEU aviation proposal will be a key measure in achieving this. We can continue to work with our colleagues in Europe to achieve agreement on...

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

Jack Chambers: Offshore renewable energy, ORE, is integral to achieving Ireland’s climate change ambitions with a target of achieving 7 GW of offshore energy by 2030, of which 2 GW will be dedicated solely to the production of green hydrogen. Ports will play a critical part in achieving this ambition. In December 2021, a policy paper was published on the facilitation of offshore renewable energy by...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Car Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which is continuing to affect people across the State as the National Car Testing Service, NCTS, remains under pressure. The operation of the NCTS is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, RSA. My Department has worked closely with the RSA and the NCT contractor, Applus, to support their efforts over the past six...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Car Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The RSA advises me that it expects the service to return to the 12-day standard by the end of June 2023, although efforts will continue to achieve this earlier if possible. In the meantime, I urge motorists seeking a test when making their bookings to contact the NCTS directly to avail of the priority waiting list. The Deputy has requested the number of customers qualifying for a free...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Car Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy is aware, the RSA on behalf of the State provides oversight for the specific contract. I say clearly that the failure to deliver the public service according to the wait time is unacceptable. We have been clear with the RSA and, by extension, with Applus on that. That is why contract mechanisms have been triggered and why there is a process around the imposition of penalties,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: As Minister for Transport, I was delighted to be invited to launch Shannon Foynes Port Company’s review of their Vision 2041 Masterplan in November 2022. Since then, there has been ongoing engagement with my department and the provision of support and assistance to realise this project. Shannon Foynes Port Company is Ireland’s second largest port based on tonnage and is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The National Car Testing (NCT) Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and it is the RSA which is responsible for the award and management of the contract for the NCTS with its contractor, Applus Inspection Services Ireland Ltd. As Minister of State for Transport, I do not have a role in operational matters for the NCT, including the appointment of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 28 together. The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). However, I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is working closely with the Authority to address the issue of Driver Testing waiting times, which is at unacceptable levels across the state. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: Shannon Foynes Port Company launched its 30-Year Masterplan, Vision 2041, in 2013. Vision 2041 set out a strategy for the further development of the port and identified the opportunity ahead for what were then only emerging sectors, such as offshore renewables. The Port determined its future land requirements based on the criteria outlined in the Masterplan and acquired c.38ha in 2016. These...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). 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. I am aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS are currently facing to meet the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 64 and 74 together. Minister Ryan and I take the matter of illegal drone use at airports extremely seriously.  In addition to the considerable disruption caused to passengers, this activity poses a genuine safety risk to aviation. Irish airports have procedures in place to handle the risk posed by illegal drone activity, developed in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: Regional connectivity is of critical importance to this Government.  I am very aware that the current government funded public service obligation (PSO) air service contract in place on the Donegal/Dublin route provides the people and businesses in the North-West with vital daily air services to Dublin..  As well as supporting Government’s commitment to balanced regional...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (2 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.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Air Services (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: Ireland is one of the most connected countries in the European Union, with Dublin Airport currently serving approximately 146 destinations with 43 airline partners with flights to Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa. From a regional airport perspective, the summer 2023 season will provide a strong offering in comparison to previous seasons as the sector continues its...