Results 2,321-2,340 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: The decision rests with the Minister and will depend on how the appointee performs.

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: While I do not necessarily accept the latter point, I agree with some of the Deputy's other points. She is correct that the appointment raises an important issue. Two other commissioners will be appointed and both positions will be immediately open to public competition. I have no desire to be involved directly or indirectly in these kinds of appointments, nor am I involved in them in any...

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I am informed that the person to be appointed is eminently competent and qualified to hold the position of commissioner. I agree that the shortest possible period should elapse before the position is the subject of open competition. As the Deputy will be aware, it will take considerable time to bed in many of the provisions of the legislation.

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I hope it will be sufficient.

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I do not want to pre-empt what may happen in three years' time. Who knows who will be Minister for Transport at that point?

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: The position will be open to public competition following the initial appointment.

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: It will happen within that timeframe.

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: It is a reasonable timeframe. I have given the reasons for the decision taken regarding the appointment and the Deputy has backed them up. My preferred option is to have a public competition after the shortest possible period. If, after three years, there was widespread agreement among independent observers that the commissioner was doing an excellent job, I would leave him in the position to...

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: The provision gives effect to the agreement.

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: It was agreed that this was the best way to deal with the position of commissioner.

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: The principal reason for taking this approach is to ensure continuity. One must also consider the knowledge the appointee possesses. It is not easy, and may not be easy in future, to recruit someone to a short-term contract. We may have to offer a substantive contract to attract the necessary person with the requisite qualifications and standing to do the job. We have opted for an interim...

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I move amendment No. 8: In page 15, to delete lines 1 to 5 and substitute the following: "(1) The Minister— (a) shall designate his or her officers recruited specifically for transfer to the Commission, and (b) may designate such and so many of his or her officers who are Railway Inspecting Officers,".

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I thank the Deputy for this amendment. Obviously, I can accept it.

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I move amendment No. 10: In page 20, line 46, to delete "21,". This is a technical amendment to correct a drafting error caused by the deletion on Committee Stage of sections 19 and 21 from the Bill as initiated.

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I move amendment No. 11: In page 21, line 12, to delete "2004" and substitute "2007". Section 26 enables the Railway Safety Commission to impose an annual levy on railway undertakings to recoup some or all of the cost of its regulation of railway safety. Section 26(2) of the Bill, as amended, on Committee Stage states this levy may not be imposed before 31 December 2004. The purpose of this...

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I move amendment No. 12: In page 22, line 21, after "Oireachtas" to insert the following: "within 3 months of its receipt by him or her". On Committee Stage Deputy Naughten, in his amendments Nos. 14 and 17, made some suggestions on the annual report of the commission. I thank him for those useful suggestions. I am proposing amendments Nos. 12 to 14, inclusive, in response to the issues...

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: Yes, the Deputy is correct.

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I was over there for many years.

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I appreciate and understand the sentiments expressed by the Deputy but it is clearly established practice that the Minister is responsible and answerable in this House for policy. In terms of the commission and other matters, it is the relevant Oireachtas committee to which the commission is answerable. I have no mandate to change this procedure in terms of the way in which the Houses operate...

Railway Safety Bill 2001: Report Stage. (5 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I am fully accountable to the House for policy in respect of this body.