Results 3,741-3,760 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (2 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: Provisions regarding the use of bus lanes are set out in articles 32 and 39 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, SI 182 of 1997, as amended in article 2 of Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 1998, SI 441 of 1998. Article 32 provides that only large public service vehicles and cyclists can enter bus lanes during the operative period and that an...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (2 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Department of Transport was set up in June 2002. The appointments made since that date are outlined in the following table. Those marked with an asterisk were made during my tenure of office. Names National Roads Authority Mr. Fred Barry * Mr. Eddie Breen * Mr. Eric Fleming * Mr. David Holden Mr. John Newell Mr. Donncha Ó Cinnéide * Mr....

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (2 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: The number of driver testers assigned to the Gorey test centre over the past 12 months is outlined in the following table. Date (W/C = week commencing) No. of Testers Assigned Date No. of Testers Assigned W/C 28/02/05 1 W/C 29/08/05 1 W/C 07/03/05 2 W/C 05/09/05 2 W/C 14/03/05 NIL W/C 12/09/05 2 W/C 21/03/05 1 W/C 19/09/05 2 W/C 28/03/05 NIL W/C 26/09/05 2 W/C...

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (2 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: National Car Testing Service Limited, NCTS, is required, under the car testing contract, to meet a range of performance standards for the service. These standards, which are designed to ensure test integrity and a high level of customer service, cover premises, test equipment, staff, test arrangements, facilities management, information technology and customer service. The Department of...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (2 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: The implementation of the major infrastructure projects in Transport 21 will have some traffic impact during construction and major traffic benefits once operational. The various implementing agencies are acutely conscious of the need to minimise traffic impact during construction and will develop appropriate traffic management strategies in consultation with the local authorities, as traffic...

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: The operation of the penalty points system, which commenced with effect from 31 October 2002 in respect of speeding offences, was subsequently extended to apply to the offences of driving without insurance, careless driving and offences relating to the non-wearing of seat belts. When a driver accumulates 12 penalty points, he or she is automatically disqualified for a period of six months...

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: They will be signed before 3 April 2006, which is the commencement date for the 31 new penalty points.

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: I thank the Deputy for her comments. She raised an important issue a few weeks ago in respect of the national driver file and the automatic transmission of information held by it to the gardaí, which I have acted upon. That issue was raised in the context of other points just made by the Deputy. A total of 49 people have been disqualified under the penalty points system. We must remember...

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 53 together. As the Deputy will be aware, in its decision of 18 May 2005, the Government agreed to the State disposing of a majority shareholding in Aer Lingus and retaining a stake of at least 25% to protect strategic interests provided that the Minister for Finance and I are satisfied that this level of disposal is warranted on foot of the analysis...

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am taking this action for precisely the reasons the Deputy outlined. As I said on numerous occasions, I am seeking to position the airline for growth, increase the number of jobs——

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: To position the company for growth, it is essential that substantial funding is available, not just in the short term but in the medium to long term. As the Deputy knows, the purchase or lease of aircraft, which has the same effect on a balance sheet, can take a number of years in lead-in time in terms of purchasing aircraft, planning new routes and getting new destinations. In fairness to...

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: I said that there is an immediate, medium and short-term need for investment in the company. The company is planning to invest approximately €2 billion in aircraft purchase in the medium term. It is examining many new routes into the United States, which will be available under the open skies policy. The competition for and on these routes will be great. The agreement I succeeded in getting...

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: It is a relative term. I acknowledge the huge effort of the staff, trade unions and management. They have been the most successful in turning around a national airline since 9/11, for which they must be congratulated. I want to secure that effort and ensure that Aer Lingus grows in terms of jobs, tourism, industry and the development of this country. The only way it can be achieved is by way...

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy and his colleagues will be aware, almost every plan for Aer Lingus over the past decade and beyond have been crisis plans. This is the first time we had an opportunity to position the company for growth and development. The Deputy is correct because if Aer Lingus was in crisis, there would not be much point approaching anyone as nobody would be interested in it. We must take...

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: I do not accept the thesis the Deputy put forward. Others may have an ideological view, I do not. Based on all the credible evidence — there is as much as one can read — the future of Aer Lingus can only be secured in a highly volatile market if we position it to bring in investment from——

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: If we position it to bring in investment from the private sector——

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: That is the reality.

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy seemed to suggest that even now the Government could invest. That would be challenged in Brussels immediately.

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: Does Deputy Shortall want me to answer the question or does she want to ask and answer the question?

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: Unlike Deputy Shortall, I expect Deputy Olivia Mitchell and myself are almost on the same page. We are trying to position this airline for growth, development, the best interests of the staff, growth in jobs, tourism, customers who fly out of this country and for the economic development of this country. That is what the hard decisions are about. It would be easy to take other decisions and...