Results 3,061-3,080 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: Earlier this year, my Department requested the National Roads Authority, NRA, to review its policy on the provision of motorway service areas. Specifically the NRA was asked to consider the merits of locating such service areas on motorways, as well as at, or close to, motorway interchanges. I expect to receive the results of this review shortly.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have recently approved a request from Dublin Bus for funding for 20 buses before the end of this year. This will provide an immediate injection of additional capacity for bus services in Dublin. The Exchequer is providing €6.9 million for the purchase of the buses. These buses will be additional to the existing Dublin bus fleet and I understand from Dublin Bus that they are expected into...

Written Answers — Transport Policy: Transport Policy (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: Funding of a programme of traffic management projects in the greater Dublin area through the DTO traffic management grants scheme has been ongoing for a decade and will carry on under Transport 21. Transport 21 will continue the implementation of a range of traffic management, bus priority and car restraint measures in the greater Dublin area, such as construction of quality bus corridors,...

Written Answers — Flight Itineraries: Flight Itineraries (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: In general, in accordance with international aviation law, overflights or non-traffic stops by an aircraft of an ICAO state, engaged in non-scheduled or private services may operate without prior permission from my Department. My Department would not normally have any information about them. However, arising from previous parliamentary questions and inquiries about the possible carriage of...

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: I received the report on the outcome of the mid-term review of the national car testing service conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers for my Department earlier this month. My Department is now in discussion with the national car testing service with a view to implementing the recommendations early in 2006. I intend to publish the report on my Department's website shortly.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 50, 59, 61 and 77 together. The operation of the penalty points system commenced with effect from 31 October 2002 in respect of speeding offences and has subsequently been extended to apply to the offences of driving without insurance, careless driving and offences relating to the non-wearing of seat belts. Since its introduction over 278,700 drivers have...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 87 together. A working group chaired by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and representing my Department, the Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies, has carried out an in-depth examination into the issue of the engagement of private sector interests in the operation of speed cameras. The group's report, which was published by the...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: The electrification of the Kildare line as far as Hazelhatch is only one element of the investment programme to extend and improve capacity, frequencies and integration of services on the DART network. Complementary projects include the interconnector, the city centre station in the docklands, the electrification of the Maynooth and Dunboyne lines, as well as the northern line as far as...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: An initial feasibility study on the proposed interconnector between Heuston Station and the docklands was carried out on behalf of Iarnród Éireann 2003. This examined possible alignments for the interconnector as well as preliminary cost estimates. I have asked Iarnród Éireann to begin immediately a more detailed technical analysis of the project. Transport 21 includes a financial...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: The National Development Plan, NDP, provides for an increase in capacity and the improvement in the quality, reliability, frequency and speed of bus services in the Dublin region. The investment programme involved the expansion of the bus network to meet demand, through the phased purchase of additional buses to increase passenger capacity and meet the development requirements of the network....

Written Answers — Road Tolling: Road Tolling (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll by-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the National Roads Authority, NRA, under Part V of the Roads Act 1993, as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000. I am informed by the NRA that a strict performance regime is provided for in current PPP contracts...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 58 together. The reduction in current expenditure for regional airports in the 2006 Estimates reflects the reduced level of subvention required under the new PSO air service contracts, which came into force in July 2005. Under the new PSO regime, annual subvention required for all six PSO routes is reduced from approximately €20 million to...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: Hard shoulder use by buses will be piloted at a number of locations including the northbound and southbound approaches to Dunshaughlin, at Bracetown between Dunshaughlin and Clonee in County Meath, and at various locations on the Naas Road in the South Dublin County Council area. I understand from the quality bus network office that construction works are being carried out in 2005 on the...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: The project for the new train depot in Portlaoise is at design and tender preparation stage and is proceeding on time. Iarnród Éireann has sought planning permission for the depot from Laois County Council. Subject to the compliance with the relevant statutory procedures, the completion date for this project is 2007. Transport 21 includes a financial provision to cover the anticipated cost...

Written Answers — Road Fatalities: Road Fatalities (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: The measurement of accident costs formed part of a study carried out in 2004 by Goodbody Economic Consultants on behalf of my Department. The report entitled Cost Benefit Parameters and Application Rules for Transport Project Appraisal suggests an economic cost of €2.018 million in respect of each road death. This estimation encompasses consideration of lost output, human costs, suffering...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: Following the launch of Transport 21, I have asked Iarnród Éireann to commence the design and planning stages of the western rail corridor from Ennis to Claremorris. The line will be developed on a phased basis, with Ennis to Athenry being completed in 2008, Athenry to Tuam in 2011 and Tuam to Claremorris in 2014. Transport 21 includes a financial provision to cover the anticipated cost of...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: CIE submitted to me an application for a railway order for the Kildare route project on 5 October under the terms of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001. I have directed that a public inquiry be held into the application and on 28 October I appointed Mr. Pat Butler SC as inspector to the inquiry. I understand that the inspector will begin the inquiry early in 2006 and that the...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: The estimated carryover of up to €100 million in capital funding for transport projects from 2005 to 2006, which amounts to approximately 6% of the total capital invested in transport projects in 2005, is attributable to less than anticipated expenditure on the national roads programme due to delays in concluding land deals, delays in the tendering processes for projects and delays on...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my previous replies to Questions Nos. 228 on Thursday, 27 October 2005, and 316 on Wednesday, 9 November 2005. It is my intention to bring forward proposals for increasing bus licence fees in the new year.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (24 Nov 2005)

Martin Cullen: Plans to upgrade the Luas line from St. Stephen's Green to Bray to metro have not been dropped. Transport 21 provides for feasibility studies for this and other projects. While Transport 21 involves a substantial commitment of financial resources, those resources are finite. It has therefore been necessary to prioritise the investments to be made over the ten year period. Luas line B1, one of...