Results 3,501-3,520 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: A matter that is relevant to vehicle-based technologies is that the regulatory framework for vehicle standards is set at European level through a harmonised system of motor vehicle type-approval. Standards for new passenger cars in the EU are specified in a range of EU type-approval directives that are incorporated into a system known as EU whole vehicle type approval, WVTA. WVTA facilitates...

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

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 169 together. In line with commitments given in the Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 it is my intention that a requirement that motorcyclists with provisional licences must display L-plates will be introduced, and that driver licensing regulations will be amended to discourage long-term reliance on provisional licences. The necessary regulatory...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 146, 168, 180 and 203 together. The Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 contains a commitment that random preliminary roadside testing of drivers for the presence of alcohol would be introduced before the end of 2006. Against the background of that commitment I have pursued a very detailed examination of the possible approaches that could be adopted to allow...

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

Martin Cullen: The Traffic Signs Manual sets out directions and advice given to road authorities by the Minister for Transport pursuant to section 95(16) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 regarding the provision and use of warning and information traffic signs. A copy of the manual is available in the Oireachtas Library. Since late 2004 my Department has been engaged in a comprehensive review of the Traffic...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: The issue of the use of mobile phones by drivers was first referred to the Attorney General's office for advice in July 2002. Meanwhile, there have been significant developments in in-vehicle information and communication technologies. The necessary preparations have now been made to provide for the regulation of in-vehicle information and communications technologies. It is my intention to...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 152, 178 and 201 together. I have recently introduced regulations, SI 780 of 2005, the European Communities (Access to Railway Infrastructure) (Amendment) Regulations, 2005, transposing Directive 2004/51/EC on the development of the Community's railways. These regulations allow for the opening of the freight market to competition from 1 January 2006, in...

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

Martin Cullen: The importance of providing emergency towing vessel facilities, ETV, to protect our coasts has been recognised, including the possibility of sharing such services with the UK in relation to the east coast. However, the very significant costs involved has meant that, in the context of other marine emergency response priorities, it has not been possible to date to put permanent ETV arrangements...

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

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 149 together. The Government is pursuing the commitment given in the road safety strategy to introduce a network of privatised speed cameras. 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...

Written Answers — Marine Accidents: Marine Accidents (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: At the outset I wish to extend my sympathies to the families of those who tragically lost their lives as a result of the sinking of the Rising Sun fishing vessel. An investigator from the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, MCIB, commenced an investigation into the incident on Wednesday, 30 November 2005. To facilitate that inquiry and in view of health and safety concerns arising...

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

Martin Cullen: The Dublin Transport Authority's A Platform for Change, which provides a long-term framework for the development of the transport network of the greater Dublin area, GDA, was published in November 2001. That report continues to provide a broad strategic framework for transport planning in the GDA and was taken into account, along with other strategic studies, in the preparation of Transport 21.

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

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 145, 160, 205 and 209 together. The State Airports Act 2004 provides for the establishment of the three State airports at Dublin, Shannon and Cork as fully independent and autonomous authorities under State ownership. The Act provides a framework to allow for an orderly approach to the distribution of the assets of Shannon and Cork airports in conformity with...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my replies to Question No. 150 on 19 October 2005 and Question No. 160 on 24 November 2005. The North-South work programme, which was agreed by the North-South Ministerial Council, included a commitment to examine the mutual recognition of penalty points between the Republic of Ireland and the North. However, in addition to the fact that separate penalty point systems...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: Section 22 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 provides that where a person is convicted of a drink driving offence, the court shall, unless it is satisfied that there are special and substantial reasons for not so doing, order that person to pay a prescribed amount to the court as a contribution to the costs and expenses of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. The prescribed amount, which was...

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

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 173 together. The Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, is the statutory body responsible for the delivery of a multi-operator system of integrated public transport ticketing using smartcard technology. The proposed system is, in line with international experience, being introduced on a phased basis, initially in the Dublin area. As part of the phased...

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

Martin Cullen: Dublin Bus commissioned transport consultants Martin Voorhees Associates, MVA, to carry out a strategic bus network review in summer 2005. I have been advised by Dublin Bus that MVA has consulted with a range of stakeholders such as the four local authorities in Dublin, the Dublin Transportation Office and the Rail Procurement Agency during the course of its work. It is the intention of...

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

Martin Cullen: The Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 stated that compulsory initial practical training for motorcyclists would be introduced. A working group comprising of motorcycle interests has been considering the appropriate standards that will apply in this area and the standards that instructors must comply with. Overseeing the introduction of such training will be the responsibility of the proposed...

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

Martin Cullen: Following the submission to my Department of the report of the Dublin Transportation Office, DTO, Committee on real time passenger information, A Strategy for Integrated Public Transport Information including Real Time Passenger Information, my Department has consulted with both the DTO and the Railway Procurement Agency on how best to progress the matter. My officials have also had meetings...

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

Martin Cullen: The legal basis for the fees charged by the bus licensing division of my Department for passenger licences issued under the Road Transport Act 1932 is the regulations made under the Act, that is, the Road Transport Regulations 1932 (No. 26 of 1932), as amended by regulations in 1955 — No. 68 of 1955. My Department is currently reviewing the level of these fees and will be proposing revised...

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

Martin Cullen: On 6 December 2005, the European Parliament and the Council reached agreement, through the conciliation process, on a new EU regulation designed to improve driving times and rest periods for professional drivers. The new EU regulation includes a number of changes to the existing rules, designed specifically to minimise the risks of driver fatigue and ensure safety for drivers and other road...

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

Martin Cullen: Transport 21 provides for the completion of the joining of the existing Red and Green lines in the city centre and the Luas extension to Cherrywood in 2008 and 2010 respectively, subject to compliance with the relevant statutory procedures, etc. I have already received an application from the RPA for a railway order in respect of the proposed Luas extension to Cherrywood and I have appointed...