Results 921-940 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: No, I am not saying that. I said that there would be competition and that there will be an open market in Dublin.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 129 together. Talks on the reform of public transport between officials in my Department and the CIE unions, under an independent chair appointed by the Labour Relations Commission, were adjourned in mid-September. I am reviewing the developments which have taken place during these talks and the technical work which has been undertaken by my Department...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: Because I brought myself into the process I would not say that the talks are not now happening. I have had rounds of discussions directly with the unions on this issue. I have asked my officials to resume the talks with their representatives to move the process forward. I was equally heartened by what people coming from different perspectives had to say because there was a common thread. One...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: Yes.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: Bringing the discussions to a conclusion depends on everybody and not only me. However, there is a will on all sides to achieve a good outcome from this process. I accept Bus Éireann's response to competition in the national bus market has been good for everybody, including the company itself and the travelling public.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: Yes, but it was also in response to public demand. It proves that if the service is provided, the public tends to avail of it. That needs to be transferred to Dublin to make public transport the mode of choice for people at least some days, if not every day. That would make an enormous difference as people would not constantly use their cars without it crossing their minds to use public...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: That is a separate question. I am aware of the issue but I have not considered it in great detail in the few weeks I have been in the Department. I will examine the issue in more depth. It is on my agenda.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: That comes into the equation. I have not gone into the issue in detail because I have spent my time, rightly, meeting the different stakeholders as quickly as possible. I want to take on board all the views and I want to understand what people are saying and where is the common ground. I will move forward on that assessment. Issues such as a regulator must form the basis of the way forward.

Rail Accidents. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: Connex Ireland Ltd., which operates the Luas system, is carrying out an investigation into this accident in close liaison with the interim railway safety commission and the Railway Procurement Agency. The commission is expecting an interim report from Connex in the next week or so. The primary duty of care from a safety perspective lies with the operator — Connex — but there is also an...

Rail Accidents. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I presume the Deputy is referring to the collision on 17 September. Two trams collided——

Rail Accidents. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: ——during a crossing movement at St. Stephen's Green terminus. A defect in the system has been ruled out. Connex is the operator of Luas and is investigating the accident in close liaison with the interim railway safetycommission which is directly involved and with the Railway Procurement Agency. Following the incident, two inspectors from the interim railway safety commission inspected...

Rail Accidents. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: That is a matter I will consider. I acknowledge the wisdom of what the Deputies have said. It is my instinct also that it would be better if it was independent. In response to Deputy Ryan's question, clearly the RPA takes on board the success of Luas. I am pleased to say it has been a success more quickly than people may have anticipated. The RPA is examining options for line capacity. I...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: My Department has an involvement in public private partnerships both in the national roads and in the public transport sectors. The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including projects being implemented on a PPP basis, is a matter for the National Roads Authority. I understand from the NRA that ten national road projects are being implemented on a PPP...

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I disagree with the Deputy. The involvement of the private sector in roads development is very successful. It is regarded as a standard that is being examined by many other countries who wish to achieve the same success——

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: ——in investment in roads projects. I do not accept the Deputy's point of an over-dependence on private sector money invested in projects in order to supplement public sector moneys. A good balance exists between the two. The benefit of private sector funding is that investment in projects can be increased——

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: ——and projects can be delivered. The Cashel bypass is eight months ahead of schedule. The Monasterevin bypass will be opened next week, ten or 11 months ahead of schedule. All concerned in the system, contractors, building firms, the State, are giving value for money. Contracts are finished on time or ahead of schedule and on budget. Delivery is currently excellent. That pace must be...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: Statistics relating to road accidents, based on information provided by the Garda Síochána, are published by the National Roads Authority in its annual road accident facts reports. The most recent report is in respect of 2002 and that report, along with reports relating to previous years, is available in the Oireachtas Library. Provisional figures for the number of road deaths in 2004 up to...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: My predecessor set up an expert working group to carry out an examination of the western rail corridor proposal and to examine the potential for reopening the line. The working group, which is chaired by Mr. Pat McCann, chief executive of JurysDoyle Hotel Group plc, has held two meetings to date as well as a number of sub-group meetings. I understand that the next meeting of the group is to...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 197 together. In order to improve integration between public transport services in Dublin, I see value in joining together the red and green Luas lines. I understand that the board of the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, has considered a preliminary analysis of the feasibility and cost of linking both lines in the city centre and that a more detailed...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 195 and 196 together. In May of this year, the Government agreed to the development of a commuter rail service for Cork between Mallow and Midleton. This involves the relaying of track and signalling between Glounthaune and Midleton as well as the construction of a number of new stations along the length of the route. Iarnród Éireann is currently...