Results 4,561-4,580 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Dublin Transport Authority. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: ——highlights the fact that it is going extremely well. As Deputies have rightly stated, a body like the proposed Dublin transport authority is needed to oversee transport matters in Dublin. Of course there is rivalry between the different agencies which are responsible for their own modes of transport — there is no doubt about that. The integrated ticketing project has not been as much...

Dublin Transport Authority. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: As the sun is shining, I will take a deep breath and——

Dublin Transport Authority. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I said ten minutes ago that I have received the report. I have already circulated a memorandum for Government, with the heads of the Bill. There is a procedural timeframe in that regard. It is due back to me shortly. I expect to take it to the Cabinet in the next few weeks. That is what I have said.

Dublin Transport Authority. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I said that the legislation will be drafted as quickly as possible and that I expect to publish it in the autumn. In the meantime, I will establish the body in shadow form, as I did in the case of the Railway Safety Authority, which had a huge impact long before any legislation was in place.

Air Services. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I do not accept that I have not consulted satisfactorily with Aer Lingus staff or trade unions on the planned investment transaction for Aer Lingus. Prior to the Government's decision in May of last year to reduce its shareholding in Aer Lingus to facilitate equity investment in the company while retaining a significant stake, I consulted the trade unions on the company's future ownership...

Air Services. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: Since the start of this process, I have been direct, open and straightforward with all the unions. They know and appreciate that. I have also behaved similarly towards management and have no difficulty with meetings or consultations. While I have been clear on the issues, some of which were raised by the Deputy, I will not comment on them now. They are part of the process and I wish to see...

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 135 and 168 together. As stated previously, funding of the new Cork Airport terminal will be obliged to take account not only of what is commercially and financially feasible for Cork Airport but also of what is commercially and financially feasible for Dublin Airport. Future plans for both Shannon and Cork as independent airports must have regard to the...

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: Nothing has changed. I am in the same position as my predecessor. People have selectively quoted from various documents but the opening contribution to the debate on the State Airports Act 2004, provides absolute clarity. I agree with the board of Cork Airport, which wants its independence much earlier than was envisaged when the legislation was introduced. It would be good if that were...

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: My predecessor's statements accord with mine. Cork, Shannon and Dublin airports have to remain financially viable and must be turned into commercial successes. The three boards and my Department are engaged in that process, with the advice of a myriad of advisers, and will reach a conclusion once the areas of disagreement are resolved. This is not a game and serious financial issues are...

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I understand the terminal will be completed in a matter of days. Deputy Allen may be expressing a lack of confidence in the board of Cork Airport arising from its inability to meet the deadlines it gave to the Deputy and others over the past eight months.

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I would have preferred that the Cork Airport terminal development had been delivered on time and within budget. While I will await the outcome of the matter, it is certainly not on time and does not appear to be within budget. That is somewhat disappointing but the reality is we have to take account of these issues.

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: We can be confident that Cork effectively has a new airport, which will bring tremendous benefits to Munster and the south. The success of this fantastic new facility will be important. It will attract millions of passengers to Cork and I do not doubt the airport will attempt to dramatically expand its short-haul services and take advantage of new long-haul destinations. That is all good...

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy has raised a range of questions that were not part of the question I have answered, I do not have some of the specific answers. If the Deputy will put down a question I will get the specifics for him. Cork Airport is ready to go and we must make a decision. We cannot operate State companies outside the companies law.

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: Some people have put it to me that because they were State companies we could ignore proper accounting procedures and fiscal and business management.

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: He did not.

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: If one reads what was said in the House in 2004 from start to finish, as I have, not selectively——

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The former Minister for Transport stated there would have to be a finance lease arrangement between Cork and Dublin airports to facilitate the independence of Cork Airport.

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: That was stated——

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: That was stated on the record in this House. The issue of having distributable reserves is complex. It is fine by me if we wait until all the distributable reserves are available to Dublin Airport. The board of Cork Airport does not see it that way. It does not want to wait and it is right. It wants to become independent quicker. If we want to wait for that timeframe to be completed we can...

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: There has been no indecision on my part. I have had enough meetings with Cork Airport management. I have not changed my views since the first time I met them.