Results 3,281-3,300 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Aviation Policy: Aviation Policy (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: There is no delay in the conclusion of the negotiations between the EU and US on a new aviation agreement. The full text of an agreement was settled by EU and US officials at the end of their last negotiation session in Washington, on 18 November 2005. The only significant outstanding issue is the outcome of the US's moves to amend its ownership and control rules in order that EU carriers,...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: The National Safety Council is the agency mandated with responsibility for road safety education and advertising. The council has in the past produced short advertising campaigns encompassing information about roundabouts, motorways and overtaking manoeuvres, which highlighted safe driving practice in these key areas. I understand that the National Safety Council has proposals to develop...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: Dublin Bus has advised me that the company has fitted digital video surveillance equipment to 965 of its vehicles to date, which has improved safety to both customers and staff. This has contributed to a reduction of anti-social behaviour both on and off the buses. Dublin Bus advises that the Garda have used the footage to detect both on-bus and on-street crime and a number of files are...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: My Department is considering the introduction of a short verbal debrief to test candidates who request it at the end if their test. This short verbal feedback would refer to the type of fault that was incurred or to where it occurred on the route. Training has already been provided to the driver testers to deliver this feedback and its introduction is subject to negotiations with the testers'...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: Arrangements for the recruitment of driver testers are principally the responsibility of the Public Appointments Service. As part of the recruitment process candidates for the position of driver tester are obliged to undertake a psychometric test, undergo a practical driving test and interview which assesses their suitability for the position. The driving test in Ireland is designed in...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: The legislative basis for the application of speed limits on roads generally is set out in the Road Traffic Act 2004 and came into operation on 20 January 2005. That Act establishes a range of speed limits that apply to particular classes of road on a default basis and also provides the basis for county councils and city councils to apply special speed limits in lieu of these default speed...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 844 to 846, inclusive, together. I understand that the construction of the runway extension and the consequent amendment of the red — safety — area of runway 17 at Cork Airport was advised to Cork County Council at the time by the then Aer Rianta. The subsequent inclusion of that information in any development plan was a matter for Cork County Council....

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: Under Transport 21, the Navan railway line will be developed in two phases. The first phase will involve a spur off the Maynooth line at Clonsilla to Pace, beyond Dunboyne. Iarnród Éireann has already completed a feasibility study for this phase and funding for design and planning work will be provided by my Department in 2006. A railway order will be required to allow construction of the...

Written Answers — Driving Licences: Driving Licences (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government hold and administer the national driver file which contains driving licence records. My Department is in consultation with that Department with a view to having the necessary arrangements for the issue of driving licence renewal notices from the national driver file put in place. I understand that the Department of the...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: The primary immediate investigative role in relation to road accidents is vested in the Garda Síochána. Priority in such an investigation must be given to the determination of the causes of road accidents including, where appropriate, road construction or surface standards, and in particular whether a breach of the road traffic laws contributed to the occurrence. The Garda Síochána is the...

Written Answers — Driving Test Centres: Driving Test Centres (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: There are no plans to open a driving test centre in Drogheda. The existing centres in Dundalk, Navan and Finglas provide adequately for the demand in Drogheda and the general area.

Written Answers — Driving Test Centres: Driving Test Centres (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: Table 1 sets out the location and number of testers assigned to headquarter centres at present. Driver testers are in turn assigned from headquarter centres to meet the demand in other test centres. The table does not include the chief supervisory tester or the ten supervisory testers. Table 1 also sets out details of whether a centre is owned by the OPW or leased by it on my Department's...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 852, 855 and 856 together. The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the Dublin Port tunnel, is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the local authorities concerned. Progress continues to be made on the construction of the tunnel. I am informed that the civil engineering work within the tunnels has...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 853 and 859 together. The construction of the Dublin Port tunnel and issues related thereto are matters for the contractor, Dublin City Council, and the National Roads Authority, NRA, in the first instance. I understand from the NRA that a safety audit of theproject confirms that the Dublin Port tunnel complies in all respects with the requirements of the...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: Balbriggan and Skerries Harbours were transferred from the ownership of Dublin Port Company to the control of Fingal County Council in 2004 as provided for in the Harbours Act 1996. Following receipt of a submission regarding works required at Balbriggan and Skerries Harbours by Fingal County Council in 2005, the Department responsible at the time, the Department of Communications, Marine and...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 857 and 858 together. The Department of Transport was set up in June 2002. Since that date vacancies arising on State boards have been filled according to the requirements of the relevant legislation. The current level of board membership together with the number of vacancies to be filled are detailed on the following table. State Body No. of board members...

Written Answers — Aer Lingus: Aer Lingus (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: I have not entered into any commitment in the terms suggested by the Deputy. The decision to dispose of a majority shareholding in Aer Lingus was made following detailed and comprehensive consideration of the issue by my Government colleagues and me. In accordance with the terms of Sustaining Progress, I engaged with the trade unions on the issue early in 2005 before the Government finalised...

Written Answers — Rail Accidents: Rail Accidents (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: I have been informed by the Railway Procurement Agency that there have been nine derailments on the Luas line to date, of which five occurred in circumstances in which the tram was not in passenger service. Eight of the derailments were caused by operational errors while the ninth case arose as a result of an articulated truck driving into the side of the tram.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: On 6 November last, I announced the appointment of a team, led by Professor Margaret O'Mahony, charged with establishing a new transport authority for the greater Dublin area. I have asked the team to finalise a structure for the new authority, detailing its remit and responsibilities and identifying the human resources which are critical to its success, taking into account best practice and...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (25 Jan 2006)

Martin Cullen: Transport 21 provides the strategic framework for the development of the national roads network. It provides for a more extensive upgrade programme than that provided for in the national development plan. In such circumstances, separate costings for the completion of the national road improvement programme provided for in the national development plan have not been abstracted.