Results 61-80 of 1,672 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Jack Chambers

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Airport Policy (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: There are other parties in government. Increasing the capacity of Dublin Airport is in line with national aviation policy, which recognises the strategic importance of that airport in meeting national social and economic policy goals and includes a specific objective of developing it as a hub airport with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emerging global markets. While...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Airport Policy (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: Dublin Airport is a key driver of growth in our economy and the international gateway for trade, inward investment and tourism. In addition, and as the Deputy will be aware, census 2022 showed that Ireland's population had increased by 8% between 2016 and 2022 and by 31% since 2002. While alternatives to air travel, such as rail, can provide essential connectivity for many of our European...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Airport Policy (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: The increase in the capacity of Dublin Airport is in line with our national aviation policy, which recognises the strategic importance of the airport in meeting national social and economic policy goals and includes a specific objective of developing it as a hub airport with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emerging global markets. We are an island economy and have...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Road Safety (30 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: The trends we are witnessing on roads this year are of particular concern and devastating, with road fatalities and serious injuries continuing to rise. We have experienced a growing trend in three of the past four years, this year being especially worrying. As a response to this trend, the Cabinet approved the drafting of a road traffic measures Bill on 17 October. My Department is...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy. I know she raised this matter of capital infrastructure and a park-and-ride facility as a Topical Issue. It is something we have reflected to the NTA. I am happy to engage with the Deputy and Deputy Smith on concerns relating to the ongoing issue of buses not showing up, in addition to driver shortages. There have been particular issues in counties Cavan and Meath...

Road Safety: Statements (26 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I welcome the opportunity to address the Dáil and update Members on road safety and the current progress against actions within the Government's road safety strategy 2021-23. The safety of all road users is the first priority for my Department. Travel and transportation is an essential component of social and economic life in this country and needs to be available, accessible and...

Driving Test Waiting Times: Motion [Private Members] (18 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: There is a new subhead.

Driving Test Waiting Times: Motion [Private Members] (18 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank all of the Deputies for the opportunity to update the House on the national driver testing service. As they have said, it is an issue for many people in urban and rural Ireland, in particular young people who have not been able to get a test. I acknowledge that and do not dispute the concerns they have set out. There is wide agreement that it is essential that the public has access...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Taxi Regulations (18 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I appreciate the points made and the engagement by the Deputy. In the past number of weeks alone, I have met some taxi drivers, as we have discussed ourselves, and am happy to engage directly with others. There needs to be a strong level of engagement by the State with the representatives. I am certainly willing to engage with them and we can organise that. As I have said, before...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Active Travel (18 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I will try. I thank Deputy Lahart and I hear what he is saying clearly. Feedback from local communities and stakeholder engagement is of fundamental importance to get community buy-in, with public representatives here in the Oireachtas, councillors and the wider public. I will reflect this in the context of the wider active travel programme we are seeking to roll out. I have...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Taxi Regulations (18 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy McAuliffe for raising this matter. The regulation of the small public service vehicle, SPSV, industry, including enforcement and compliance in the sector, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the NTA, under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 and Public Transport Act 2016. Neither the Minister, Deputy Ryan, nor I, have a role in the day-to-day...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Active Travel (18 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy and I acknowledge his local experience and feedback relating the active travel scheme. The Department of Transport has responsibility for the provision of funding and setting of policy in relation to transport issues, including active travel. The National Transport Authority, NTA, has responsibility for the allocation of funding to projects at local authority level and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (17 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I have been asked to respond on behalf of the Minister for Health. It is up to the Deputies.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Park-and-Ride Facilities (17 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Deputy’s contribution speaks to the need for wider investment in transport. From a public transport perspective, part of that is delivering greater rail and other infrastructure. The all-island rail review is the starting point for the wider vision we have on rail. To complement that, we must continue investment in roads infrastructure. We must make sure junctions and road...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Park-and-Ride Facilities (17 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to address this issue and discuss park-and-ride facilities. In my constituency of Dublin West that has a population including many Cavan people, I am aware from engaging with people who are commuting and have family members of the importance of this to the people in Cavan. There are a substantial number of people in regional towns, the rural...

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: It was.

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Department of Transport has secured €3.5 billion to fund projects and programmes run under our remit in 2024. This has been a budget focused on investing in young people and families. This theme is apparent in the package that has been provided to continue many of the public transport affordability measures for families and young adults. The 50% discount for those with a young...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Safety (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which to my mind has two fundamental aspects. The first is education and awareness, as suggested by the Deputy, and the second is improvements on the ground around schools. I am glad that good progress has been made in regard to both aspects. The Deputy will probably be aware of the Your Journey Counts campaign, which is a multi-platform...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Safety (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: As I stated, as part of the wider public engagement and communications strategy, we will be highlighting the issues the Deputy raised. They merit expansion, in particular the issues relating to idling at school gates. We must accelerate the infrastructure delivery of the Safe Routes to School programme as a preventative measure so that within 200 m of schools, as the Deputy mentioned, we...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Safety (5 Oct 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank both Deputies. The evidence is clear. An excessive number of trips to and around schools will have an impact on overall air quality. The science is clear on that. That is why we have to work with communities and partner with them to provide safe routes to schools. We must provide a safe alternative for families and children. If we look at the last 30 years, we are all aware of...