Results 161-180 of 1,674 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Jack Chambers

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ports Policy (4 May 2023)

Jack Chambers: On offshore wind, the Deputy will be aware that the Port of Waterford is proposing to develop offshore renewable energy operations on the downstream location at Belview Port in Kilkenny. That project is at preliminary design stage. The Rosslare Europort is progressing plans for offshore renewable energy, ORE, with a purpose-built quay and berth and up to 50 acres for an ORE quayside storage...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ports Policy (4 May 2023)

Jack Chambers: On Dublin Port, the Deputy will be aware that a number of Departments were involved in that process, with the EU, on what footprint was required at that time. On the Deputy's previous point about Dublin Port, there is a need for additional capacity at the port. The 3FM project outlines that there will be further demands within the Dublin Port footprint. I have had positive engagement...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ports Policy (4 May 2023)

Jack Chambers: On the ORE port infrastructure, we are determined. There has been an issue and we are trying to reform that in the context of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA, and getting the marine consents. We are also working with a number of ports on advancing the business plans so that the financing can be put in place. We are ambitious to ensure that we embrace the opportunities around...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (18 Apr 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme, NRP. 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: Road Projects (18 Apr 2023)

Jack Chambers: The roads outlined in the national development plan are an absolute priority. I look forward to engaging with the officials from Monaghan County Council and with the local councillors. I accept the Deputy's bona fides in trying to advance this on behalf of his community for reasons of economic development. The road safety matters he has outlined are also very important to the people of...

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: Its other big idea last weekend was to drag a headline and pluck a million homes as its target, with no roadmap, costings or timelines for delivery. It understands that supply is key, and that supply is increasing. In 2022, 29,850 homes were completed, an increase of 45.2% on 2021. It understands that investment in social housing is showing results and progress. Funding is in place to...

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is delivering an unprecedented scale of investment and delivery in housing with a costed plan, Housing for All. The Labour Party I have known would have acknowledged the progress made since it oversaw housing and worked constructively to push Government to go further. Instead, we see something else, a party which has given up on constructive Opposition and politics.

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: It is a rudderless party which has decided to turn to chasing the sideline shouters and sloganeers of Sinn Féin and the hard left.

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I fully respect the right of any party to use its parliamentary time in whatever way it sees fit but it is really disappointing to see that the Labour Party has decided to fall back on the cheap theatre of a no confidence motion which it knows will fail.

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: This has precipitated a Government motion of confidence, as it knows it must. Where once they were constructive in their opposition, they have instead fallen to a type of panic politics, of chasing Sinn Féin seated to their left, and the Social Democrats seated to their right.

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The worst part of this is that they understand the issue at hand, having recently held the housing portfolio. They must know that cheap talk and motions of confidence, causing a cycle of elections, will not solve this. They talk of new thinking and new ideas, yet when the opportunity arises to share that new thinking, it seems its big idea is to join a chorus of other populist voices.

Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation: Motion (28 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation, done at Paris on 27th January, 2021, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 14th November, 2022.

Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation: Referral to Select Committee (21 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation, done at Paris on 27th January, 2021, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 14th November, 2022, be referred to the Select Committee on Transport and Communications, in accordance with Standing Order 95(1)(a), which,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Safety (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Minister and I are actively engaging with the DAA and other relevant State agencies on the recent incidents of illegal drone activity at Dublin Airport and on potential measures to deter any future activity of this nature. We received briefings from relevant bodies after both the St. Brigid's weekend incidents and the most recent incident on 21 February. We will continue to support the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Safety (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Farrell. As I have said, notwithstanding concerns, we are looking to progress urgently the commercially available counter-drone solutions at airports. We are also looking at other jurisdictions, as the Deputy stated. Alongside this we need to ensure there is appropriate engagement in a legal and regulatory context. This work is accelerating quickly. We acknowledge it is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Safety (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I assure Deputy Durkan that this is being taken very seriously and urgent action is being taken. A number of meetings and engagements have taken place on the potential purchasing of counter-drone technology. In response to the issue of criminal enforcement, significant penalties are available, including sentences up to life imprisonment. This is a very serious sanction. The Deputies...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Driver Test (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank both Deputies for their suggestions. There is an important road safety component for learner drivers which has been developed over many years. The solution is the sanction of additional testers rather than unwinding or undoing evidence-based road safety measures that have been developed over a number of years. We must try to assist learner drivers to get a test and bring the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: The Department is committed to ensuring that the Irish Coast Guard service remains fully capable and equipped to meet current and future challenges. An open recruitment process is currently under way to fill several senior leadership positions in the Irish Coast Guard, IRCG, including a new appointment at assistant secretary level to lead this vital service and an open recruitment process...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: As I said, a new assistant secretary, who will serve as a member of the Department of Transport's management board, will oversee a review of all aspects, including strategy, structure, roles, culture and governance of the Coast Guard service. This will be the first time an assistant secretary will be appointed to do that. The appointment was placed and advertised through the Public...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coast Guard Service (2 Mar 2023)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputies for their suggestions and input. To respond to Deputy O'Rourke's point, relevant legislation is going through pre-legislative scrutiny. I will await the recommendations of the committee on that legislation. On the broader point, as I said, the role of volunteers is extremely important. It is for that reason that we are appointing someone at assistant secretary...