Results 121-140 of 1,674 for speaker:Jack Chambers in 'Dáil debates'

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (22 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: There is a huge range of activity occurring across the rail network to improve rail transport for passengers with a variety of projects set for delivery over the next few years. In the short term we will see a new station opening at Kishogue on the Kildare line late this year; new rail carriages entering into service next year through the addition of 41 new carriages to the intercity fleet;...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (22 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: The next iteration in terms of decision-making will be the all-island strategic rail review. It will inform the development and decision-making of inter-urban and inter-regional rail across the island over the coming decades. It provides the strategic backdrop to rail investment in our region that the Jaspers review noted was lacking when considering phases 2 and 3 of the corridor. The...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Road Tolls (22 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy will be aware, the National Development Plan 2000–2006 first identified PPPs as a mechanism to facilitate the delivery of an extensive roads programme. There are now eight PPP toll roads in the State. These eight roads were constructed and are now operated and maintained under long-term contracts with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII. Revenue generated by these...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Road Tolls (22 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: As I have said, the setting of tolls is a statutory function for TII and in those contracts there was a connection between toll increases and the CPI. The Deputy mentioned a few services that relate to the maintenance of our national roads and motorways, but asset renewal is a key part of that and probably one of the biggest cost implications for both public roads and roads that have a toll,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Road Tolls (22 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I acknowledge the impact of the increased tolls on motorists and families. That is why we deferred the increase for six months. We have a vast motorway network that was developed through PPPs. People can be critical of them. Neither I or the Deputy were in the House at the time. To be fair, at the time they delivered an infrastructural outcome that has helped connect Ireland and built...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rail Network (22 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: The rail freight market in Ireland is open. Currently, a commercial arm of Iarnród Éireann is active in the sector. While the rail freight industry has declined in Ireland in recent decades, there are clear opportunities for growth, as demonstrated by the success of the existing Ballina corridor. Since Brexit, trade patterns between Ireland and continental Europe have shifted...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I appreciate the Deputy raising this important issue. In the first instance, it is important this Government fulfils its commitments to communities under the national development plan, and that means making tangible progress on a number of roads projects, including the N4 upgrade for the people of Westmeath and Longford. The profile of spending varies through the year but it is important we...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: This is a stunt.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Network (15 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for this important question. An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State’s postal service and the post office network. In addition, Irish post offices are typically independent businesses run by postmasters. Decisions relating to the network, including those relating to the size,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Network (15 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: The €10 million per annum is there to provide stabilisation and support and to underpin that key social, economic and community infrastructure in towns and villages across the country. In the absence of that Government decision and the commitment in the programme for Government to provide that support to post offices, we would have a greater difficulty. The State has stepped in to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Network (15 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank both Deputies. The €10 million per year will make a difference to those who perhaps were thinking of exiting as independent postmasters. Providing that stabilisation will enhance the network. In certain areas, there was consolidation. In other villages, there was an exit of a post office. We have to try to maintain the network, and the €10 million will do that, as a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Network (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I appreciate what the Deputy has said. Each year that funding for new roads projects occurs, the allocations that are required to ensure there is continued progress can vary. Some years it requires a multiple of what I have outlined earlier and when construction occurs it is at a much greater scale. To move through the different gateways and to make progress in the decision-making process,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Climate Change Policy (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: Certainly with my previous hat on, I was familiar with and was in Lixnaw with the Minister, Deputy Foley. It is a great hurling club that benefited from the sports capital programme. I will set out the facts on this, as much has been said publicly that sometimes polarises communities. It is clear that any measures will be introduced with landowners in mind and in consultation with them....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Network (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding for the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Roads Acts, 1993 to 2015, and in line with the national development plan, NDP, the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue regarding the school's application and I appreciate his remarks. As I have said, my officials in the Department are working to assess the accommodation needs of the school under my Department’s capital scheme and will be in touch with the school authorities directly as soon as possible. This assessment will consider the current and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Climate Change Policy (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan. One of the commitments in the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 is to put forward a proposal for legally binding EU nature restoration targets. The proposed regulation on nature restoration aims to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. It gives me the opportunity to set out for the House the position with regard to the status of the application for additional school accommodation made by Balla Secondary School, County Mayo. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley. Balla Secondary School is a mixed school under the...

EU-LAC International Foundation: Motion (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Agreement Establishing the EU-LAC International Foundation, signed at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on 25th October, 2016, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 30th March, 2023.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jun 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Smith for raising this important issue. We recently sanctioned 75 driving tester posts which will increase the number from approximately 100 last year. Thirty testers were recruited at the end of last year, so more than 200 driving testers will be in employment this year. There should therefore be an improvement in waiting times toward the tail end of this year. There is a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (16 May 2023)

Jack Chambers: I assure the Deputy that the Ireland East Hospital Group and the HSE are committed to progressing the new MRI unit in the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar for the people of counties Westmeath and Longford and the broader midlands. I am pleased the building works to facilitate the MRI equipment are progressing in the context of the planned completion date. Consideration is being given to...