Results 4,261-4,280 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Road Safety. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: It is not a secret. Most of the recommendations have been articulated by Deputy Mitchell and I in public over the past year.

Road Safety. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: The body must provide technical reasons for some of these issues. We cannot haphazardly——

Road Safety. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am not. I am explaining the position.

Road Safety. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: This is a serious issue. The Deputy refers to roadside testing. If a garda is suspicious and believes a person to be under the influence of any substance, the person can be arrested, brought to a Garda station and tested for drugs. This can be done under Irish law at present. Between seven and ten roadside testing systems have been examined and all of them have failed. The Medical Bureau...

Road Safety. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: I thank the Deputy for the recommendations. The issues raised, some of which have been implemented, are being considered by the Road Safety Authority. I hope they will be embraced in the forthcoming strategy.

Taxi Regulations. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 36 and 106 together. I have received no proposals to date from the Commission for Taxi Regulation regarding the provision of a subsidy to encourage greater availability of wheelchair accessible taxis. However, I expect to receive proposals from the commission shortly and when the proposals are received, they will be considered by my Department.

Taxi Regulations. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: I have not yet received proposals from the Taxi Regulator.

Taxi Regulations. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: I do not wish to pre-empt the proposals. This Government, more than any other, has shown support for access and disability across all Departments, including the Department of Transport in public transport, buses and trains. The taxi sector is a significant contributor to public transport and I hope we can increase the number of accessible vehicles available.

Taxi Regulations. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: I will wait for the Taxi Regulator's assessment. I will not pre-empt the proposals or guess what they will contain.

Road Network. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am satisfied that the investment that has taken place over recent years in upgrading our road and public transport infrastructure represents good value for money. The position as regards national roads is that, as Minister for Transport, I have overall responsibility for policy and funding of the national roads programme. In accordance with the Roads Act 1993, the implementation of the...

Road Network. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: Indeed, the project from Kinnegad to Tyrellspass was completed 12 months ahead of schedule. All major capital investments in public transport are subject to rigorous appraisal procedures ensuring the need for each project and the options for delivering it are established with the objective for maximising value for money. Major rail projects are now being delivered on time and within budget.

Road Network. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: Progress on projects is monitored through regular reporting by and meetings with the implementing agencies and through technical and financial audits of a selection of projects by independent consultants.

Road Network. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: One of the key functions of the monitoring group, established to look after Transport 21, is to monitor the implementation of projects provided for in that programme, with particular reference to compliance with the Department of Finance's capital appraisal guidelines and the value-for-money indicators. It will also review ongoing programme progress using information supplied by Endorse, an...

Road Network. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Labour Party is the most anti-farming and anti-rural party in the House. The Government will certainly not go down the road of what the Labour Party prescribes. It is typical of the Labour Party to be disingenuous on the facts presented to the House.

Road Network. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: In spite of what the Deputy has said, the cost of producing every kilometre of new road in this country is half the cost of that in the United Kingdom.

Road Network. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: We are delivering superb value for money and we share the wealth of this country with everybody, unlike the Labour Party.

Traffic Management. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: The report of the Dublin transport authority establishment team made a number of recommendations in respect of traffic management. The team concluded that there needed to be an integrated policy approach to traffic management across the greater Dublin area, based on international best practice. It recommended that the Dublin transport authority be obliged to prepare a strategic traffic...

Traffic Management. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy raises an issue that is very much part of a modern developing economy. I agree the way Ireland has developed has resulted in this becoming a very significant issue. The NRA has managed its contracts — for example the Naas dual carriageway — with very strict penalties. It compelled the contractors to keep two lanes open in both directions, which worked very well. The issue...

Traffic Management. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: The planning, design and implementation of national roads improvement projects, including the Dublin Port tunnel and the M50, is a matter for the National Roads Authority and the local authorities concerned. Traffic management in general is a matter for the appropriate local authority notwithstanding what I have said about what will happen in future. In the case of the Dublin Port tunnel,...

Traffic Management. (6 Dec 2006)

Martin Cullen: Specifically in respect of the Dublin Port tunnel, my Department has been keeping in touch with all stakeholders, including Dublin City Council and the NRA, to ensure a co-ordinated strategy, which takes account of the management of HGVs in Dublin city and the traffic impact on the M50, is developed for the opening of the tunnel. The development and implementation of the HGV management...