Results 5,021-5,040 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Martin Cullen: My Department is currently considering an application from Dublin Bus for funding for 200 additional buses to be delivered in 2006 and 2007. The application is being considered in the context of Transport 21, the bus network review completed by Dublin Bus and the bus market reform process. I expect to make an announcement shortly on the application having regard to the outcome of Government...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (27 Sep 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am aware of the findings of a report published by the UK Vehicle Operating Standards Agency (VOSA) concerning tests and enforcement checks conducted by the agency in the UK and the performance of Irish vehicles and drivers in compliance with vehicle standards and drivers hours rules. The nature of the problems identified in the VOSA report are not unique to Irish vehicles and drivers. Of...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (27 Sep 2006)

Martin Cullen: On 13 August last, I announced my decision to grant the railway order for the Kildare rail project, in line with the recommendations of the Inspector to the public inquiry into the project. On that basis, the draft order has been sent to the Office of the Attorney General for legal drafting. When that process is complete, the order will be submitted to the Minister for the Environment,...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (27 Sep 2006)

Martin Cullen: Iarnród Éireann has informed me that the company is currently carrying out an examination into the possibility of commencing a service on the Kildare route on Sundays. This exercise will include an examination of the demand for the service, the effect of introducing such a service on existing services and the availability of rolling stock and staff to operate such a service. A decision...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (27 Sep 2006)

Martin Cullen: I have no function in this matter. The structure of rail fares is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Martin Cullen: Park and ride facilities have an important role in making it easier for people to access and transfer to public transport. Last summer I approved a Dublin Transportation Office (DTO) strategy for rail-based park and ride facilities, which envisages facilities at 22 locations on the existing and proposed rail network within the greater Dublin area. This year I set aside €5 million in...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Martin Cullen: My Department is currently considering an application from Dublin Bus for funding for 200 additional buses to be delivered in 2006 and 2007. The application is being considered in the context of Transport 21, the bus network review completed by Dublin Bus and the bus market reform process. I expect to make an announcement shortly on the application having regard to the outcome of Government...

Written Answers — Railway Stations: Railway Stations (27 Sep 2006)

Martin Cullen: The award of contracts for the completion of the docklands station is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have no function in the matter. Work on the project is underway and the station is expected to open next year.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (27 Sep 2006)

Martin Cullen: My Department is currently considering an application from Bus Éireann for funding for additional buses to be delivered over the period 2006 to 2008. The application is being considered in the context of Transport 21 and the bus market reform process. I expect to make an announcement shortly on the application having regard to the outcome of Government deliberations on bus market reform.

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (27 Sep 2006)

Martin Cullen: As I have said before, the funding of the new Cork Airport terminal will have to take account not only of what is commercially and financially feasible for Cork Airport, but also what is commercially and financially feasible for Dublin Airport. The future plans for both Shannon and Cork as independent airports must have regard to the capacity of each airport to contribute to its own capital...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The National Safety Council, in consultation with my Department, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and the City and County Managers Association is developing a template for road safety action plans which will be piloted in 10 chosen local authority areas. The results of these pilots will inform the development of models which can subsequently be applied in all...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The provision of a second runway at Dublin Airport is a key element of the capital development programme prepared by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) in order to ensure the provision of capacity to meet expected demand in the coming year. It is envisaged that this programme will be funded by the DAA from its own resources. The National Development Plan 2007-2013 is being prepared under the...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 423 together. The Government's Ports Policy Statement, which I launched in January 2005, aims to better equip the port sector and its stakeholders to meet national and regional capacity and service needs. One of the key challenges that lie ahead is the provision of adequate in-time port capacity, particularly for unitised trade. The Policy Statement...

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: It is a requirement for the registration and entry into service of new motor vehicles in the European Union that they have type-approval in accordance with Directive 70/157/EEC as amended by Directive 1999/101/EC, which sets down the permissible sound levels and exhaust systems for motor vehicles. Vehicle in-service standards are specified in the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: Section 25 (1) of the Transport Act 1958 provides that the consent of the Minister for Transport is required where either Bus Éireann or Dublin Bus wish to introduce or alter a passenger road service where such service would compete with a licensed passenger road service provided by a private bus operator. In accordance with section 25 (2), the decision made by the Minister under section 25...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (6 Jul 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 bus operators apply to my Department for Passenger Licences to operate coach and bus services within the State. There are three types of passenger licences issued: Annual Continuous Licence (operates all year round); Annual...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am informed by Bus Éireann that the number of passengers carried by the company in 2005 was 48.3 million, exclusive of schoolchildren, and in the case of Dublin Bus the number of passengers carried by the company in 2005 was 146 million. My Department does not have statistics from individual bus operators on the number of passengers carried by them.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: State subvention is provided to Bus Éireann in respect of public service obligations only and is not provided in respect of commercial services. It is the responsibility of the Board of CIE to ensure the allocation of funds for loss making services is done in accordance with relevant EU Regulations governing compensation in respect of public service obligations in the transport sector.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Road Transport Act, 1932 provides the statutory basis for regulating the provision of public bus services by private bus operators in Ireland. Operators are issued annual passenger licences in accordance with the provisions of the Act for the services that they provide on a regular basis. The Act also provides for the issuing of occasional licences for once off occasions such as major...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 429, 437 and 463 together. I have given a public commitment to modernizing the regulatory framework governing public transport, not just in Dublin, but nationally. In advancing the regulatory agenda, discussions have taken place with the key stakeholders, including the CIE Companies and the Unions. These discussions form part of a process of engagement that...