Results 4,881-4,900 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am not sure whether I or Deputy Shortall should endeavour to answer the questions raised. We are on section 4, which deals with mandatory alcohol testing. This is more appropriately a matter for section 10 but I will deal with it now. It is not necessary to stipulate the conditions under which learner permits have effect in the Act. Those are dealt with in regulation. I appreciate the point...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I continually tell my children that I am still young.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: In spite of our best efforts. I agree with the Deputy. Any fair assessment would conclude that we are making major progress in this area. I will resolve it but there is no point in my approaching it in a piecemeal fashion. Many different elements must be put in place. There are different interpretations of what is meant by a learner permit and a graduated licence. It is a combination of a...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I need the people in place to do it.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am not saying that as the Deputy knows.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I do not believe any system exists anywhere that provides for people to get a licence to drive without any test.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: In all fairness——

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy knows my general position on the matter. I do not disagree with her. The Deputy knows I have asked the road safety authority to consider this area. I reiterate that the courts have the power to require a person disqualified under a consequential order to obtain a certificate of competency by successfully undergoing the driving test as a prerequisite to having the driving licence...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy is right that I am waiting for confirmation from the Road Safety Authority on the matter, which has been raised by a number of bodies. It is interesting technology. If a person needed to blow into an alcolock and if he or she were over the limit it would end many problems. There are difficulties with some of these systems regarding who maintains and monitors them. That issue...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: Amendment No. 27 proposes that section 106 of the principal Act be amended so that where a member of the Garda Síochána is present at the scene of a collision where death or serious injury has occurred, he or she shall require the driver to provide a breath sample to establish the presence of alcohol. The driver may accompany a garda or another member of the Garda Síochána to a place,...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I did not mean it that way. It would be challenged in court and we would lose.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I do not have any evidence, overwhelming or otherwise, to suggest that people involved in serious accidents who are out of their minds with drink are not being tested for alcohol or drugs consumption. The Road Traffic Acts provide that a member of the Garda Síochána may require a person in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle to provide a preliminary breath specimen where the vehicle...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I move amendment No. 35: In page 9, line 42, to delete "section 138(3)(a)" and substitute "section 138(3)". This is a drafting amendment recommended by the parliamentary counsel. It corrects the existing text.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The advent of the new administrative disqualification and fixed charge system for certain drink driving offences placed the spotlight on the range of mandatory disqualifications currently applied under the Road Traffic Acts. The immediate consequence of a decision to apply an administrative disqualification of six months to a specific group of drink driving offences means that the periods for...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: There is not a great deal between us. The current period is two years and I am increasing it to four years. The Deputy is proposing that it be five years. I prefer to leave the Bill as it is.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I move amendment No. 39: In page 11, line 39, to delete "said".

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Oireachtas has only recently reduced the overall speed limits and the default limit. I have given strong powers to local authorities to look at this. I do not agree, however, that it is impractical for local authorities to look at signs on these roads. A person going out over a few weeks would resolve the ludicrous situation of roads which are clearly unfit for 100 km/h speed limits. It...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy is using up everybody's time.

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I wish to reply to Deputy Shortall's question by giving her some up-to-date and, hopefully, relevant information. As she knows, the 1996 traffic signs manual deals with this issue. I will try to foreshorten my reply because there is not a lot of time available. I examined the issue regarding local authorities, which seems to be central to what Deputy Shortall is saying. The overall manual is...

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy should stop grandstanding.