Results 4,941-4,960 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: We would discredit the entire Irish financial sector if we were to change our company law to suit public companies.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: It would undermine every company, public and private.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: That is nonsense. What debate is Deputy Lynch listening to?

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy should go back to primary school and learn to add.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I thank Members for their contributions to this debate, in particular those who made constructive comments. I was saddened by the Deputies who offered nothing but political slogans, jargon and cliches to the workers of Aer Lingus. I have seen many instances of companies which could have been saved but for politicians who played populist politics.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: Some of the attitudes expressed in this debate were about "me and my seat" and had little to do with Aer Lingus and its staff or the development of aviation services. It is extraordinary that the expansion to Dubai, which is the most significant new route opened by Aer Lingus since the foundation of the company——

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I did not shout Deputy Shortall down and I expect her to respect me when I speak.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The route offers fantastic economic opportunities in terms of tourism and the development of aviation in this country. I did not portray Dubai as an alternative to London, despite Deputy Shortall's best efforts to portray that.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am long enough in politics to remember the Labour Party's slogans in the elections in 1973 and the 1980s.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: We are in the 21st century, and I note the contrast between the Labour Party's lack of advancement in political and economic thinking and their European counterparts. The same old tired slogans, scaremongering and nonsense that characterised the party's former electioneering continue to be rolled out.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: It was all about the party's lust for power and nothing to do with the reality of economics and development in this country. I was described as an ideologue on privatisation but I was the Minister who stood in the gap to prevent the Dublin Airport Authority from being taken over by private interests.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I have been consistent in my views with regard to State assets.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: Deputy Shortall is addressing the Minister who kept Dublin Airport in State ownership and who will insist on that in the future.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: This motion seeks the approval of the House for the general principles of the disposal of a significant portion of the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I will address that issue presently. The future funding requirements and ownership structure of Aer Lingus have been the subject of extensive analysis and debate over the past number of years. The future of the company is being considered by a dedicated Cabinet sub-committee and has been debated in the House on a number of occasions. My Department and the Department of Finance have...

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: We could continue to debate the issues indefinitely but that would not be fair to the company or its staff. The company needs certainty if it is to plan effectively for its future.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: At least I stand for something and have the courage to make the right decision.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: My decision is in the interests of the airline, its staff and the people of this country. My career will not be characterised by the old political slogans and jargon of this debate. I thank Deputy Olivia Mitchell for raising an important legal point. As a result I sought further legal advice and it has been considered by the Attorney General's office. The approval sought in the motion,...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The National Safety Council, in consultation with my Department, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and the City and County Managers Association is developing a template for road safety action plans which will be piloted in 10 chosen local authority areas. The results of these pilots will inform the development of models which can subsequently be applied in all...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The provision of a second runway at Dublin Airport is a key element of the capital development programme prepared by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) in order to ensure the provision of capacity to meet expected demand in the coming year. It is envisaged that this programme will be funded by the DAA from its own resources. The National Development Plan 2007-2013 is being prepared under the...