Results 5,521-5,540 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: As part of the Decentralisation programme, 86 Bus Éireann Headquarters posts are to be relocated to Mitchelstown. Implementation issues, including the identification of accommodation, are being pursued by Bus Éireann. However, to date, no employee has indicated a wish to move and this continues to be examined by Bus Éireann itself.

Written Answers — Airport Security: Airport Security (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: My Department which has responsibility for aviation security policy liaises on an on-going basis with the Garda Síochána concerning issues relating to airport security. In the context of wider national security, An Garda Síochána is responsible for monitoring any terrorist threat and recommending appropriate security measures to address any such threats.

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I received Iarnród Éireann's application for a Railway Order for the Cork to Midleton Railway line on the 15th of May 2006. On the 26th of May, I directed that a Public Inquiry be held into the application. On the 14th of June I appointed Mr. Pat Butler S.C. as Inspector to the Public Inquiry under section 42(1) of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001. The Public Inquiry...

Written Answers — Park and Ride Facilities: Park and Ride Facilities (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am making capital funding available to local authorities under Transport 21 for park and ride facilities in the Greater Dublin Area, and also in the Regional Cities. It is a central aim of my Department that we want to attract as many people as possible out of their cars and onto public transport. In 2005, I approved a Dublin Transportation Office (DTO) strategy for rail-based Park and...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: Directive 2003/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2003 on occurrence reporting in civil aviation includes an option for Member States to develop a confidential reporting system. Work is under way to transpose this Directive into Irish law.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 55 together. At the outset, I should explain that overall responsibility for the planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the M50 upgrade, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the local authorities concerned. I have no function in relation to the day-to-day operation of these projects. In...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: Cost benefit analyses are carried out on national road projects by the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the provisions of the Roads Act 1993. Cost benefit analysis is carried out on a project-by-project basis in respect of major national road improvement schemes constructed under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2000-2006. This practice fully accords with the Department of Finance's...

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

Martin Cullen: I understand that the Road Safety Authority, in the context of its responsibility for the delivery of the driving test, is carrying out an analysis of likely future demand for driving tests.

Written Answers — Aer Lingus: Aer Lingus (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Priority Question No. 3 on Aer Lingus today.

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 83 and 91 together. I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 117 of 28th September which sets out the timetable for this project.

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: Responsibility for the regulation of safety issues with respect to the rail network, including Luas, rests with the Railway Safety Commission (RSC) which acts on an independent statutory independent basis in the performance of its functions. Prior to its formal establishment on 1st January this year, the RSC operated on an interim basis under the aegis of my Department. Passenger services...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 45, 52 and 74 together. The Government Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 sets a primary target of a 25% reduction in road collision fatalities by the end of 2006 over the average annual number of fatalities in the 1998-2003 period. This was always an ambitious target and one that required the continued commitment to a strategic, integrated approach by all of...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: At my request Bus Éireann has undertaken an examination of its company's systems and procedures for the management, operation and maintenance of its fleet and Bus Éireann has advised that its systems and procedures for its own fleet meet industry and international standards, and the requirements of the National Roadworthiness Test for goods vehicles and buses. Separately, I have requested...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 5 today.

Written Answers — Rail Freight Services: Rail Freight Services (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 77 and 79 together. Iarnród Éireann informs me that the company has carried over 1.07 million tonnes of rail freight in 2006 to date and estimates that 1.2 million in total will be carried in the full year. Iarnród Éireann's goal is to return the rail freight business to profitability. To help achieve this turnaround, Iarnród Éireann has withdrawn...

Written Answers — Park and Ride Facilities: Park and Ride Facilities (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 67, 103, 197, 198 and 202 together. Park and ride facilities are an important component in encouraging people to transfer from private cars and onto public transport. I have therefore made funding available under Transport 21 for the capital costs of developing park and ride facilities. These developments will be taking place at the same time as both...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I have on many occasions pointed out to the House that I am aware of the importance of providing emergency towing vessel (ETV) facilities, including in an EU and Ireland-UK context. While the benefits of having an ETV facility are known, the very significant cost of the facility has meant that, in the context of other marine emergency response priorities, it has not been possible to date to...

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

Martin Cullen: In accordance with EU Directive 96/96/EC, motor vehicles and trailers are liable to compulsory periodic roadworthiness testing. Passenger cars are liable to testing when they are 4 years old and every 2 years thereafter while commercial vehicles are liable to testing when they are 1 year old and every year thereafter. As a consequence of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 51, 70, 105 and 186 together. Metro North is a key component in the overall public transport network that this Government proposes to develop as part of its investment framework, Transport 21. Subject to an enforceable Railway Order, construction of Metro North is due for completion in 2012. I announced the preferred route for Metro North on 19 October...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (2 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has made substantial progress on the Luas projects contained in Transport 21. The current situation relating to these Luas projects is as follows. Luas Spur to City West (A1) Following agreement with developers in relation to contributions to the cost of the proposed spur off the Tallaght Luas line to City West, the RPA launched an up-dated public...