Results 4,421-4,440 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (8 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 to 238, inclusive, together. The annual Exchequer subvention paid to Dublin Bus in respect of public service obligations each year since 1997 is as shown in the table. Year Subvention paid to Dublin Bus €000 1997 8,888 1998 11,294 1999 16,818 2000 41,189 2001 54,316 2002 56,063 2003 53,867 2004 61,810 2005 64,900 2006 69,845 In addition,...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (8 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: The random drug driving testing scheme referred to by the Deputy is limited in application. It is based on saliva and the test is carried out at the roadside for the presence of methamphetamine and cannabis only. While this is an important step forward, there is no feasible basis yet in Europe for the introduction of a scheme of preliminary roadside testing for drugs. Testing devices are...

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (8 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: 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 vehicle testing including the National Car Test.

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (8 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: As I previously informed the Deputy in my reply to Question No. 1127 of 27 September 2006, I announced my decision to grant the Railway Order for the Kildare Rail Project on 13 August last, in line with the recommendations of the Inspector to the Public Inquiry into the project. The drafting of the Order is currently being finalised between my Department and the Office of the Attorney...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (8 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: The scheduling and timetabling of trains is a day-to-day operational matter for Iarnród Eireann and not one in which I have any role.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (8 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: As I have made clear in the past, funding is being made available under Transport 21 for the development of park and ride facilities, which are an important component in persuading people to transfer from private cars to public transport. All new station developments on the Iarnród Éireann commuter networks are designed to include car-park facilities. This is the case, for example, in...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (8 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: The deployment of their fleet of buses is a day-to-day operational matter for Dublin Bus and not one in which I have any role.

Written Answers — Light Rail Projects: Light Rail Projects (8 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: Transport 21 provides for the development of seven Luas projects over its 10 year timeframe and includes an appropriate budget provision for their implementation. The projects will be funded through a combination of direct Exchequer funding to the RPA, Public Private Partnerships, development levies and developer contributions. I have continually stated publicly that I am not in a position...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (8 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: As I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 520 of 24 October 2006, none of the State airports, including Shannon Airport, receive any Exchequer funding. Any proposed exchequer grant to airports would have to comply with EU rules on State Aid. The funding of future developments at each of the three airports will be a matter for commercial consideration by the new independent airport...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (8 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: All three State Airport Authorities are currently working on the production of business plans to cater for their establishment as independent airports under the State Airports Act, 2004. Responsibility for the production of the business plans rests with the authorities. My function, under the Act, is to consider the plans, in conjunction with the Minister for Finance, once they have been...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (8 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Road Transport Act, 1932 provides the legislative basis for entry to the public transport market by private bus operators. In accordance with this legislation, private operators are licensed to operate coach and bus services within the State. Bus services provided by Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus are not subject to the provisions of the 1932 Act. However, both Companies are required by...

Written Answers — Regional Airports: Regional Airports (8 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: The capital expenditure grant scheme for the regional airports which my Department launched earlier this year involves a planning and implementation framework extending to 2010 and a budget of 65 million Euro out of the total of 100 million Euro for which Transport 21 provides up to 2015. Ireland West Airport Knock, along with the other regional airports, submitted proposals for funding under...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (7 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: The offence of obscuring or making a registration plate non-distinguishable is provided for in regulations, entitled Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1992, made by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners under section 141 of the Finance Act 1992. Enforcement of the regulations is a matter for the Garda Síochána. I do not have a role in such matters.

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (7 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: Decisions regarding the location and operation of taxi ranks on public roads are matters for consideration by the relevant local authority. Under section 84 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as substituted by section 15 of the Road Traffic Act 2002, a local authority is empowered to make bye-laws in respect of any specified area in its functional area appointing the places at which taxis may...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (7 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: The EU US Open Skies deal was discussed at the Transport Council on 12 October 2006. The Council underlined the importance it attaches to the conclusion of the EU US air transport agreement. It reaffirmed its unanimous satisfaction with the text of the draft agreement negotiated in November, 2005 but regretted the further delay in the US rule-making procedure relating to the ownership and...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (7 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I have no function in relation to the rates of Value Added Tax or Vehicle Registration Tax applied to motor vehicles or their parts and accordingly, my Department has not had any meetings with the Department of Finance or other stakeholders about this particular issue.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (7 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: The number of applications received for the most recent Driving Tester recruitment campaign was 4276. There were a total of 18 persons placed on a panel, from which 11 persons have been appointed on a two-year contract basis. The number of driver testers to be appointed in the next six months is a matter for the Road Safety Authority.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (7 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: 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 licensing and testing. At my request the Road Safety Authority has been examining the driver...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (7 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 399 together. Transport 21 sets out the Government's transport capital investment priorities for the ten-year period 2006 to 2015 and is likely to form a significant part of the transport component of the forthcoming National Development Plan 2007-2013. It has been designed to address the role of transport in supporting balanced regional development...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (7 Nov 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Government Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 sets a primary target of a 25% reduction in road collision fatalities by the end of 2006 over the average annual number of fatalities in the 1998-2003 period. This was always an ambitious target and one that required the continued commitment to a strategic, integrated approach by all of the road safety agencies. A major independent review of the...