Results 3,481-3,500 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Transport Policy. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: Nobody has told me that the route has been changed. If one examines the section of the line from Dublin Airport to Swords, the route is obvious and speaks for itself. As far as I am aware, the local authority has preserved this route for metro north. I hope it brings maximum additionality to the route but the Deputy is correct.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 133 and 207 together. As I have indicated to this House previously, the delay in providing driving tests is a matter of regret to me. It not only represents a poor service to the public but it is also hampering the development of initiatives which I wish to pursue and which will contribute further to road safety. The driving test and those who deliver it...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: My Department proposes to temporarily redeploy staff from the Department of Agriculture and Food who have been identified as being surplus to that Department's organisational requirements and who are based in various regional locations around the country. Following interviews and tests, eight successful candidates will now commence a six week training course late February and, subject to...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: Transport 21 makes provision for a major phased investment in public transport in the greater Dublin area, which will provide a real alternative to private car commuting. A significant expansion in rail capacity occurred in 2005 including the entry into service of eight car DART trains. As I have said previously, the bus will continue to play a crucial role in the capital's public transport...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 142 together. The advice referred to in the Dáil reply from the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources of 12 October 2005 was received from the Attorney General on 21 October 2005. In addition, further advice relevant to this matter was received from the Attorney General in January of this year. Following approval by the Government,...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 175 together. In launching Transport 21 in November last, I indicated that the bus will continue to play a crucial role in Dublin's public transport system and, in particular, will be used to meet immediate and short-term requirements for additional public transport while other infrastructure is being put in place. In early 2005, I asked Dublin Bus to...

Written Answers — Shipping Register: Shipping Register (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: With regard to the Irish ship register, the maritime safety directorate of my Department is at present reviewing Ireland's policy on the registration of vessels on the Irish flag. In September 2005, a consultation paper was published by the directorate, which outlined the current position in relation to ship registration in Ireland, and invited submissions from interested parties in relation...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: Member states have until 8 May 2006 to bring into force the laws necessary to comply with Directive 2003/20/EC. It is my intention to make the necessary regulations to implement the directive by the due date.

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 278 together. Traffic management in general is a matter for the appropriate local authority and the traffic management and control arrangements that will apply following the opening of the Dublin Port tunnel are a matter for Dublin City Council. In parallel with the opening to traffic of the Dublin Port tunnel, Dublin City Council will be introducing a...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 181 together. My Department is currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the Rules of the Road booklet. It is the intention that a draft of the new booklet will shortly be published on the Department's website and that comments and submissions will be invited from the public and interested parties. The new booklet will be finalised following...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 151, 174, 183 and 264 together. At the launch of Transport 21 on 1 November, I said that I was convinced that we need a new approach to transport in the greater Dublin area, delivered through a single authority with the power to ensure joined-up thinking and delivery across all transport modes. In pursuit of that objective, I appointed a team last...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: The operation and licensing of wheelchair accessible taxis and their drivers is currently controlled through the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002. The Commission for Taxi Regulation is responsible for the development and maintenance of a new regulatory framework for the control and operation of small public service vehicles and their drivers. In 2005 the...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 150 together. Under the Dublin Airport Authority's, DAA, medium term plan for new infrastructural provision at Dublin Airport published last autumn, a new terminal and associated pier facilities, pier E, will be provided to the south of the existing terminal. These facilities are due to come on stream in 2009. The plan also provided for other capacity...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: The driving test in Ireland is designed in accordance with the requirements of the European directives on driving licences, which set out the skills that a driver must demonstrate during a driving test. As in other EU countries there is a variation in the pass rate among test centres. The pass rate may be influenced by a number of factors including the number of lessons taken by the...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 170 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. Good 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 — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: The decentralisation of transport staff to Loughrea is among the priority moves in the Government's decentralisation programme. A total of 50 posts are due to transfer to Loughrea. A suitable site has been identified in Loughrea and the Office of Public Works is currently in discussion with the county council in relation to the preparation necessary for lodging an application to obtain...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 158, 172, 179, 190, 200 and 280 together. In summary, about 5% of the overall Luas track will require remedial work which will be carried out with minimal interference to the travelling public. There is currently no threat to passenger safety and the remedial work will be carried out at no expense to the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, or the taxpayer....

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 277 together. Statistics relating to road accidents, based on information provided by the Garda Síochána, are published by the National Roads Authority, NRA, in its annual Road Accident Facts reports. The most recent report, now entitled Road Collision Facts, relates to 2004 and is available on the NRA website. Reports relating to previous years are...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: Directive 2003/97 lays down new standards for the type approval of certain categories of vehicles, particularly lorries, in relation to the field of vision of drivers and requires that all new vehicles meet the new standards from 26 January 2007. In April 2005, the Irish Road Haulage Association, IRHA, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, SIMI, and the Irish Business and Employers...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 204 together. The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, make toll bye-laws and 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 have given no directions to the NRA under...