Results 3,401-3,420 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 69, 105 and 107 together. Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 responsibility for matters relating to vehicle standards has passed to the Road Safety Authority. The Road Safety Authority has advised my Department that while it has not been provided with the report in question by the UK authorities it is aware of the...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 86 and 485 together. I would like, at the outset, to extend my sympathy to the family of the person killed and to those who were injured during the incident on 27 March. Indeed, all victims of road traffic accidents and their families have our sympathy. Unfortunately, driver behaviour, particularly in relation to inappropriate speeds in foggy conditions,...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy is aware, the planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the local authorities concerned. In addition the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads, is vested in the National...

Written Answers — Road Transport Legislation: Road Transport Legislation (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: EC Regulation No. 3820/85 is being repealed and replaced by Regulation No. 561/2006 on the harmonization of certain social legislation relating to road transport. Regulation No. 561/2006 which has automatic legal effect in the State comes into force from 11th April 2007 with the exception of certain provisions relating to the fitment of digital tachographs, obligations in relation to record...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 102 together. Four (4) new rail upgrade projects were timetabled to begin in 2006. Work commenced on both the Docklands Station and the Portlaoise Traincare Depot. The Docklands Station was opened on 10 March 2007 and the Portlaoise Traincare Depot is due to be completed in early 2008. Preparatory and enabling works began in 2006 on the Kildare Route...

Written Answers — Railway Stations: Railway Stations (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: Iarnród Éireann has been allocated Exchequer funding of just over €395 million in 2007 for capital investment in the railway network. This will fund the new Docklands Station, Portlaoise train care depot, the Railway Safety programme, a programme of automation of level crossings, rail network resignalling, continued upgrading of rolling stock through acquisition of all new intercity...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for developing a new Road Safety Strategy for the period 2007 -2011. They went out to public consultation in October last year and I understand they have received a substantial number of suggestions and proposals as a result of this process. The RSA also engaged in a process of direct consultation with key stakeholders in December 2006. The...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 124 together. The Aviation Action Plan, adopted by Government in May 2005 mandated the building of the second terminal at Dublin airport by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). This decision was driven by the urgent need to provide for additional capacity at the airport in response to the significant growth in passenger numbers there in recent years....

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: This is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that there are presently no rail freight activities at the North Esk rail freight depot. Iarnród Éireann have also informed me that while it is planned to disconnect the terminal as part of track and signalling upgrading on the Cork – Cobh line the depot can be re-connected at any stage in the future...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: The following table lists the bodies and organizations under the aegis of my Department and their responsibilities. Where responsibilities have been devolved to a body from my Department since 2002, this is indicated in the table in italics under the entry for the body concerned. Table of Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport Body Function Dublin Airport Authority Dublin...

Written Answers — Driving Instruction: Driving Instruction (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 163 on Wednesday, 21st February, 2007. On the 19 June last I launched a document entitled "Consultation on the Regulation of Driving Instruction in Ireland" which was prepared by my Department. In the document it was proposed that from 1 July 2007 all new entrants to the driving instruction industry must be approved and registered before being...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: The range of measures that my Department funds through the Transport 21 Programme for the improvement of the transport infrastructure and the prioritisation of public transport apply to public service employees equally as to the general public alike. A key recommendation of the Travel Demand Management Study that was produced in 2004 by the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO), which is an...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 81, 98 and 140. I refer to my reply to Priority Question No. 50 of today. Substantial progress has been made in preparing the legislation and it remains my intention to publish the Dublin Transport Authority Bill very shortly. The establishment of the Authority will ensure the full and effective delivery of an integrated transport system in the Greater...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: Transport 21 includes a budget provision for the implementation of a Metro line from the City Centre to Swords via Dublin Airport to be completed by end 2012. The mandate to the RPA is to deliver the project within that budget provision and timescale. The design of the project is a matter for the RPA within that overall mandate. I am not in a position at present to release details of the...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: The rail freight market is fully liberalised and I will be glad to consider any proposals that will assist in expanding the use of rail freight but the business environment is such that no real opportunities have been identified. It should be noted that the operation and upgrading of the railway service already benefits from substantial Exchequer capital and current funding – nearly €600m...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 responsibility for matters relating to vehicle standards, including vehicle testing, has passed to the Road Safety Authority. The framework at European level in relation to compulsory periodic roadworthiness testing of motor vehicles is set down in EU Directive 96/96/EC. In accordance with that Directive, buses and...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 130 together. As part of the necessary preparatory work for the separation of Cork under the State Airports Act 2004, DAA have been advised by consultants on the financial aspects mentioned. In doing so these consultants worked with Cork airport management on business planning requirements. The firm also advised on an appropriate financing proposal,...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: The Phoenix Park Tunnel is an existing railway line connecting Heuston Station with Connolly Station and North Wall Freight Yard. I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that the railway line is not used for commuter services because it would not be possible to accommodate additional peak train services into Connolly Station. The lines into and out of Connolly Station are already at full capacity...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 119 together. The outline proposal for a draft subsidy scheme to assist with the purchase of wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys, which was received by my Department on 16 January 2007, is currently being considered. This proposal will require consultation with the Department of Finance. Pending completion of this examination, I am not in a...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (3 Apr 2007)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 181 on Wednesday, 21st February, 2007. Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the oversight of the operation of the driver licensing system including the preparation of proposals for draft regulatory provisions relating to driver...