Results 4,041-4,060 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: I stated on Committee Stage I would consult further with the Parliamentary Counsel in respect of this amendment. I have been advised by the Parliamentary Counsel that a change in the existing provisions regarding the laying of statutory instruments can only be considered in the context of the Statutory Instruments Act 1947. I am not prepared to allow the amendment as proposed as it could have...

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: It is quite clear.

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy knows, I did not have a problem with the amendment and gave a commitment to examine it, which I genuinely did, but the response from the Parliamentary Counsel was quite explicit. I am trying to go a bit further with the matter even though it might not have the weight of law, as it were. The Parliamentary Counsel has clearly pointed out an issue in terms of examining the...

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: I understand the Deputies' points. From my point of view, I have no wish to avoid any responsibility for the matter of road safety. I certainly would not be able to avoid it even if I wanted to. I am always happy to deal with the issue before the House. The CEO is accountable to Dáil Éireann for the operation of the RSA. Subsections 17(15) and 17(17) of the Bill provide that the CEO will be...

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: The matter is already catered for in the Bill.

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am not aware of any Bill which specifically states that a Minister should answer parliamentary questions.

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: I know that.

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: I have spent some time dealing with this issue. Section 4(1) provides that the road safety authority will have functions in regard to registration of instructors that will be designated in regulations made under the Road Traffic Acts. The road safety authority will be an approved body that will be able to issue instruction certificates for the purpose of regulating driving instructors. Deputy...

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am sympathetic to the Deputy's position.

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: If the Deputy provides me with the information, I will examine the issue.

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: If the Deputy provides me with the details, I will be happy to examine the issue.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: Shannon Foynes Port is a State-owned company established under the Harbours Act 1996. The Act provides that the principal objects of the company include the provision of such facilities, services and lands in its harbour for ships, goods and passengers as it considers necessary. The company is required to take all proper measures for the management, control, operation and development of its...

Written Answers — Motor Insurance Bureau: Motor Insurance Bureau (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: My officials have made inquiries in this case and I understand that the matter is currently under investigation by the Garda Síochána. The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot have a role in operational matters where the Garda Síochána is involved. It is necessary for the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland, MIBI, to ascertain that it has a liability in this case. Matters are being...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: 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

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: As I have previously indicated, the delay in providing driving tests is a matter of regret to me. It is also hampering the development of initiatives that I wish to pursue and which will contribute further to road safety. The driving test and those who deliver it are a key element in the road safety strategy. It is my objective to eliminate the backlog of driving tests by mid-2007 and my...

Written Answers — Aer Lingus Privatisation: Aer Lingus Privatisation (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: 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 provided that both myself and the Minister for Finance are satisfied that this level of disposal is warranted on foot of the analysis prepared by the Departments' advisers for the transaction. Following consideration of the report prepared by the...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: As the document makes clear, the DTO's A Platform for Change provides an overall planning framework for the development of the transport system in the greater Dublin area. It is not, nor was it ever intended to be, a detailed blueprint for each of the projects. It intended that each project should be taken through a detailed planning process, including route selection. Therefore, the route...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: My Department made inquiries into this matter and has been informed by Fingal County Council that the area in question is the airport spur of the M1 — that section of the M1 between the airport roundabout and the M1 airport interchange. This includes the approach ramp between the airport and the slip road heading northwards on the M1. The speed limit on this section of road is 60 km/h. This...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: It is expected that the EU regulation referred to by the Deputy will be adopted at Council in May 2006. With regard to my Department's sectoral plan, it is intended that it will be finalised by mid July 2006 in time for presentation to the Houses of the Oireachtas by the statutory date. Prior to the enactment of the legislation referred to, the current practice is that individual airlines...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: Most of the provisions of the directive including actual inspections are already in place and being carried out by the Irish Aviation Authority. My Department is currently working on a statutory instrument to transpose this directive into Irish law as soon as possible.