Results 3,121-3,140 of 9,563 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Aviation Industry (19 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy will be aware, Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, holds statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport. Noise mitigation at Dublin Airport is subject to substantial regulation and oversight as well as best practice mitigation measures. Following the opening of the north runway in August last year, an issue regarding the runway's departure...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Aviation Industry (19 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: It is important that there is community engagement from DAA and all the authorities involved. As I said, noise mitigation at Dublin Airport is subject to substantial regulation and oversight and best practice mitigation measures. These measures are designed to address the long-term adverse effects of noise, particularly at night, while also facilitating the sustainable development of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Aviation Industry (19 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: The flight paths will become operational from 23 February, as I outlined. There is a process in place relating to ICAO safety rules that includes the inputting of flight data. That has to be promulgated months in advance, and has happened. However, I take the Deputy's point about community engagement. I will reflect the feedback that he has given as an elected representative for Fingal...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Car Test (19 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: I appreciate the question. The operation, oversight and delivery of the NCTS is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, RSA, and it is the RSA which is responsible for the management of the contract for the NCTS with its contractor, Applus Inspection Services Ireland Ltd. As Minister of State at the Department of Transport, I do not have a specific role in operational...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Car Test (19 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: I accept that point and I have had engagement with officials this week and in recent weeks, since I have entered the role, on making the system more efficient in terms of slots. The message is that anyone who is due a test shortly might see that a test date is set out for a number of months time but they should attempt to go on the priority waiting list. That is there as a means to give...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Car Test (19 Jan 2023)

Jack Chambers: There are 20 vehicle inspectors from the Spanish operation and 110 vehicle inspectors, including 44 testers, were recruited from the Philippines. There has also been a significant increase in staff overtime, allowing for 12 tests per tester per day. The RSA has agreed to the Applus proposal to recruit additional inspection personnel at Quality and Qualification Ireland, QQI, level 5 to...

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

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 18 together. The operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I would firstly advise that pass rates at individual test centres are an operational matter, and as Minister, I do not have any role. The RSA has confirmed to my department that the same consistent high standard of...

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

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 24 together. As the deputy will be aware, daa holds statutory responsibility for the management, operation, and development of Dublin Airport. Noise mitigation at Dublin Airport is subject to substantial regulation and oversight as well as best practice mitigation measures. Following the opening of the North Runway in August last year an issue...

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

Jack Chambers: The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Therefore I have referred the Deputy's specific questions 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 am aware of the significant backlog in the driver testing service, however, I would like...

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

Jack Chambers: The operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. However, I am aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS are currently facing to meet high demand for tests and the delays which vehicle owners are encountering. My officials are continuing weekly meetings with the Authority to monitor ongoing progress in reducing test...

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

Jack Chambers: Ireland strongly supports the policy objective of reducing aviation related emissions and is aligned with the strategies being progressed at EU level and internationally via the UN’s specialised agency, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The global approach to decarbonisation of the industry is based on ICAO’s ‘basket of measures’ which...

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. On the broader issue of driver testing delays, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (19 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. However, I am aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS are currently facing to meet high...

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

Jack Chambers: There are currently no plans to restrict the use of private jets in the State. As mentioned at the Oireachtas Joint Committee in December last, attended by both Minister Ryan and my predecessor Minister Naughton, the upcoming review of Ireland’s National Aviation Policy will be an opportunity to consider a broad range of policy matters and the possible taxation of private jets is one...

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...