Results 3,121-3,140 of 9,549 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 and deals with all application and scheduling matters. My Department has no access to information on, or involvement in, individual applications. I have referred the specific query on the Skibbereen test centre to the RSA for response, I would ask that the Deputy contact my office if a...

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

Jack Chambers: I would like to thank the Deputy for this question. As the Deputy is aware, the Shannon Airport Group informed the Department in Summer 2020 that it was necessary to consider a comprehensive and radical adjustment to its structure to secure the long-term future of the Shannon Heritage business and its employees. Further to extensive engagement with the relevant local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Obligation (19 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: As previously advised to the Deputy, my Department is considering a request from Shannon Airport in relation to the establishment of a Public Service Obligation (PSO) route to provide EU Hub connectivity from Shannon Airport. An assessment is currently being finalised by my Department, with a view to it being submitted to me for my consideration in the coming weeks.

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

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 167 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 part of the Question related to the Cavan driver testing centre to the Authority for reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if...

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

Jack Chambers: Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) is integral to achieving Ireland’s Climate Change ambitions with a target of achieving 7GW (2GW of which is dedicated solely to produce green hydrogen) of offshore energy by 2030. In December 2021, I published a policy paper, “Facilitation of Offshore Renewable Energy by Commercial Ports in Ireland”, which identified that four to five port...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (19 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: The National Search and Rescue (SAR) Plan, published in 2019, sets out the objectives and priorities for SAR services and these are reviewed and adjusted periodically in order to improve effectiveness, efficiency and safety for all those involved. The National SAR Committee reviews the National SAR Plan and reports to the Minister for Transport on how the SAR Plan can be enhanced in line with...

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

Jack Chambers: I would like to thank the Deputy for this question. Government appreciates the important role of Shannon Heritage to the economy of the Midwest region and, in terms of Ireland’s built heritage, recognises that the heritage sites operated by Shannon Heritage are of intrinsic historical and cultural value. It is considered that the proposed transfer of the Shannon Heritage business and...

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

Jack Chambers: As Minister for Transport, I was delighted to be invited down 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: Driver Test (19 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) which has statutory responsibility for the operation of the test deals with all application and scheduling matters. I have no power to intervene in individual cases. I believe the RSA operates a fair and transparent appointment scheduling process, consequently, I understand that those who are eligible and have been waiting the longest are offered a test...

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

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 201 together. 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. As Minister of State for Transport, I do...

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 and deals with all application and scheduling matters, however my attention has been drawn to the issue of driver testing waiting times throughout the State. I am informed that the current increase in demand for driving tests and the time to invitation for learner drivers has a number...

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...