Results 1,061-1,080 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Seanad: Aer Lingus: Statements. (2 Dec 2004)

Martin Cullen: I understand that is not the case.

Seanad: Aer Lingus: Statements (Resumed). (2 Dec 2004)

Martin Cullen: I thank all Senators in the House for the discussion this morning and for their very measured and well thought out contributions regarding all of the issues surrounding Aer Lingus and aviation in general. Aer Lingus is not in crisis at present. The difficulty is that the aviation industry globally is in serious crisis. The evidence of that is apparent, whether one looks to the US airlines...

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 319 on 17 November last, the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 empower local authorities, the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers Association to grant a disabled person's parking permit where they are satisfied that the applicant is suffering from a disability that prevents him or her from walking or causes undue...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 564 and 565 together. The rural transport initiative, RTI, is a pilot project that began in 2002 and was due to finish at the end of 2003. This deadline was initially extended to the end of 2004 and I recently extended it further to the end of 2006. Funding of €3 million was allocated to the RTI for each of the years 2002, 2003 and 2004. I decided that the...

Written Answers — Toll Agreements: Toll Agreements (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: The making of toll schemes, toll by-laws and toll agreements in relation to national roads is a matter for the NRA. I understand from the NRA that in the toll by-laws for all toll roads, specially adapted vehicles for use by disabled people are exempt from tolls in line with the requirements of section 57(2) of the Roads Act to give special consideration to the question of exempting certain...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: The effectiveness of the penalty points system can be judged primarily on the basis of the contribution it has made to road safety since its introduction. Since the introduction of the system in October 2002, the number of deaths as a result of road collisions fell by 116 by comparison to the figure pertaining to the previous two years. Penalty points now operate in respect of speeding,...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: The National Safety Council is mandated with responsibility for road safety advertising and education, including the development of a road safety campaign. The council receives an annual allocation from the Department of Transport, which in 2004 amounted to €2.886 million. In addition, just over €1 million was provided to the agency specifically for the purpose of developing a public...

Written Answers — Corporate Governance Issues: Corporate Governance Issues (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 569, 570 and 571 together. I last met the chief executive together with the chief financial officer and chief operations officer on the morning of Tuesday, 16 November 2004. I have had no further contact with the three executives since that date. Corporate governance issues are a matter for the chairman and the board of the company, as is the appointment of...

Written Answers — Dublin Port Tunnel: Dublin Port Tunnel (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the Dublin Port tunnel, is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the local authorities concerned. In this case, the relevant authority is Dublin City Council. However, I understand from the NRA and Dublin City Council that construction of the port tunnel is expected to be completed in...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: The review to which the Deputy refers is the Review of Air Services Supported by the Essential Air Services Programme and it makes reference to public service obligation, PSO, routes. DKM Economic Consultants was commissioned by my Department to undertake the review under the Government's expenditure-review initiative. The report was published earlier this year. Current PSO air service...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 576 and 593 together. I understand that a hydrogen refuelling plant for buses is being built by an energy supply company in England as part of a pilot scheme under the European Union's clean urban transport for Europe, CUTE, initiative, which runs until 2006 and which is aimed at exploring the application of hydrogen cell technology to public transport buses....

Written Answers — Shannon Airport Landings: Shannon Airport Landings (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: As stated in a previous reply to a similar question on 23 November 2004, in accordance with the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation aircraft may come into Ireland for technical stops, such as for refuelling purposes, without notifying the Department of Transport. Under the Air Navigation and Transport Acts, there is no requirement for my Department to be notified of the...

Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: In order to reflect the scope and complexity of the overall metrication process a significant lead-in period was a feature of the planning for the introduction of metric speed limits on 20 January 2005. A working group carried out a review of speed limit structures and policies from February 2003 to September 2003 against the backdrop of the proposed changeover to the use of metric units of...

Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: The relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2004 that provide the legislative basis for a new basis for a new system of speed limits based on metric values were commenced with effect from 20 January 2004. Section 9 of the Act relates to the making of speed limit by-laws by the elected members of county and city councils and also provided that the Minister for Transport may issue...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: In answer to a previous reply on 14 December 2004, I indicated that my officials were in Washington engaging in exploratory discussions with US officials. Since then, both sides have maintained contact. I have authorised these exploratory discussions against the background where the new board of Shannon Airport is now required to produce a business plan for the airport, and clarity on the...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 397 of Tuesday 5 October 2004. A reply to the correspondence referred to issued on 13 August 2004. There was no undue delay in responding.

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: I am not aware of any proposals by Iarnród Éireann to upgrade the Ennis-Athenry-Galway line in 2005. Based on the success of the enhanced Limerick-Ennis line, the company is examining the possibilities of providing additional regional services in areas where the potential demand would justify the required investment. In addition, the western rail corridor working group is currently carrying...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: Iarnród Éireann has submitted proposals to my Department for the enhancement of the Kildare route. The proposals involve significant track work and the upgrading of many of the stations along the line. The completion of the project would result in an increase in both commuter and intercity train journeys along the corridor. The proposals are being assessed by my Department and a response...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: In accordance with the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation 1944, aircraft may come into Ireland for technical stops, such as for refuelling purposes, without notifying the Department of Transport. No notification about this aircraft was received by my Department.

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (26 Jan 2005)

Martin Cullen: The list of bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport that do not currently come under the remit of the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 follows. Proposals to bring these bodies within the scope of the Act are considered from time to time in light of prevailing circumstances. Transport agencies or bodies not included under Freedom of Information Acts to be included under...