Results 901-920 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Transport Policy: Transport Policy (19 Oct 2004)

Martin Cullen: I have noted the recommendations made by CORI with regard to the budget for 2005 and transport. While a number of the recommendations form part of current policy, others will be considered in the context of future policies and investment programmes being undertaken by my Department over the coming years. Under Sustaining Progress, there is in existence a public transport partnership forum on...

Aer Lingus. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: As I indicated in response to Question No. 411 on 19 October last, my officials and I are considering the Goldman Sachs report on the future of Aer Lingus. The report has been circulated to the members of the Cabinet sub-committee that was established to examine all issues relating to the future ownership of the airline and to report to the Government. A meeting of the sub-committee will take...

Aer Lingus. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: All Deputies are aware of the problems Aer Lingus faced. It has had an extraordinary turn-around, for which I congratulate the trade unions, management and board. It is an extraordinary achievement when considered in the context of the national carriers that have already disappeared from our skies and those that are in serious trouble. Aer Lingus has put itself in a very good position. The...

Aer Lingus. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I believe, as I am sure all Deputies do, that Aer Lingus has potentially significant opportunities in the European and American markets, particularly on the transatlantic route. The company needs to make substantial investment at this point, therefore. It will take some time to come on-stream because one cannot make a decision today and turn on the tap, in terms of the delivery of airlines,...

Traffic Management. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I am aware of the survey which IBEC carried out in May 2004 on traffic and congestion. Plans to tackle congestion in Dublin are being dealt with under two strands, the first being increasing the supply of public transport, strategic road construction and traffic management, and the second reducing the growth in travel through complementary land use and other policies designed to encourage a...

Traffic Management. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I understand and appreciate the Deputy's point. If the Government or I thought that the public transport network in the city, and access to it, were adequate, the sort of investment that we make would not be necessary. By implication, we recognise that serious, substantial and sustained investment in all forms of public transport and roads in Dublin is clearly necessary to deal with its...

Traffic Management. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The Garda places considerable emphasis on traffic, to which it has people assigned. I agree with the bigger question of a traffic corps which the Deputy raised and which is being examined in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in consultation with the Garda Commissioner. There is no doubt that the presence of gardaí, especially in the areas that the Deputy has highlighted,...

Traffic Management. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: In the time that I have, I will turn my attention to delivering decisions on infrastructure. It is no longer possible for me to spend my time trying to reorganise the structures around me.

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I announced on 21 October 2004 that the operational height of the Dublin Port tunnel would not be changed. My decision was based primarily on safety grounds, but cost and time delays to the opening of the project were also factors. The options for increasing the height of the tunnel were considered by the National Roads Authority, independent consultants, Atkins, and Dublin City Council. In...

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The trucks the Deputy refers to make up somewhere between 0.6% and 1.7% of the total traffic going to Dublin Port, a very small percentage. Dublin City Council is also putting in place a very specific traffic management plan for HGVs, while the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, will soon launch an important consultation report on the height of vehicles in the country.

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: This is not the same one. This is the one which will lead to a decision being made on the issue. The decision on the tunnel has already been taken. Regarding Deputy McGrath's contribution, I do not dispute that there have been difficulties for residents in the area. That is normal when huge projects are involved. There is naturally going to be some disruption and one can only ask for the...

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: If the Deputy intends to heighten concerns, to scare-monger in his constituency——

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: If the Deputy wants to bring forward the benefit of the facts, and to lessen people's concerns and reassure them that all of the systems are in place to deal with their concerns, he should listen to what I am saying.

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I do not accept that.

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy appears to know more than any other Deputy in the House. We all share the same concern for the people we represent. Nobody has a monopoly on concern regarding any particular matter. The Deputy should not present matters in that way.

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I, the Government and other Deputies share the concerns equally. We want these projects dealt with quickly and in the fairest way possible for the residents.

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The Government is committed to reform of public transport. A considerable amount of work on the detailed technical aspects of the restructuring of CIE has taken place in my Department and this work is ongoing. I am reviewing this work as well as consulting with stakeholders. When I have completed the review and my consultations with key stakeholders I will consider how to proceed generally...

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy raised many issues beyond the scope of the question. I have had very good discussions with the various trade unions and the management involved in the various aspects of transport in Dublin. All accept the terms of opening up the market in the future. There is only one matter on the agenda. What decisions can we make in this House which will improve the delivery of public transport...

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: Is the Deputy asking if the legislation is the barrier?

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The legislation is necessary and I am not stating that we do not need it. However, I do not want to present the matter in a way that would make it appear that it is merely about an ideological point of view. This matter involves the Dublin bus market and the delivery of services therein.