Results 5,321-5,340 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 84, 111, 131, 277 and 282 together. As a central component of Transport 21, the Western Rail Corridor will be re-opened. In this context Iarnród Éireann has submitted to my Department detailed business proposals relating to Phase 1 (the reopening of the Ennis to Athenry section) and Phase 2 (re-opening of the Athenry to Tuam section). These proposals...

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

Martin Cullen: I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that demand for rail travel on Iarnród Éireann's commuter routes is currently increasing at between 5% and 10% per annum. In response to this rise in demand for services a significant increase in rail capacity and frequency has been provided on commuter rail services in recent years. For example, total passenger capacity of the fleet has increased on the...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (7 Jun 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. Achievement of the target would result in no more than 300 deaths per annum by the end of the period of the Strategy. This is an ambitious target and one that requires the continued...

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

Martin Cullen: There is currently no height limit for goods vehicles. I am currently considering the introduction of a height limit for vehicles taking account of the wide-ranging submissions received arising from the public consultation on the matter last year. I expect to make a decision in this matter shortly. In the event that it is decided to introduce a statutory height restriction for vehicles, it...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 116 and 130 together. Following the decision on 4th April this year to proceed with an investment transaction by means of an initial public offering (IPO) of shares in Aer Lingus, I mandated Aer Lingus management to engage with the trade unions on the key concerns of staff in relation to a third party investment transaction which were job security,...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I received Iarnród Éireann's application for a Railway Order for the Cork to Midleton Railway line on the 15th of May 2006. I acknowledged it on the 22nd of May 2006. On the 26th of May I directed that a Public Inquiry be held into the application for a Railway Order. I will shortly appoint an inspector to the Public Inquiry under section 42(1) of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act...

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

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 70 and 103 together. The Road Traffic Bill 2006 contains provisions to enable the reform of the driver licensing regime to discourage long term reliance on provisional licences. The implementation of any such licensing reforms is dependent on the current unacceptable driver testing backlog being cleared. The Road Safety Authority will be examining the...

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

Martin Cullen: The application of a special speed limit at any location in lieu of a default speed limit is a matter for the individual city councils or county councils through the making of special speed limit bye-laws. I issued guidelines in April 2005 on the application of special speed limits and the local councils, when proposing to apply a special speed limit of 30 km/h, must only do so in accordance...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 161 together. The arrangements agreed between Aer Lingus and those workers who were transferred to TEAM Aer Lingus was a matter for the company. I understand from the company that those workers who opted to move to the new owner (FLS) waived all their rights in this regard at the time of the sale and those who did not returned to the employment of Aer...

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

Martin Cullen: The development of Quality Bus Corridors in the Greater Dublin Area is funded through the Traffic Management Grants Scheme, administered by the Dublin Transportation Office, and implemented by the local authorities of the Greater Dublin Area through the Quality Bus Network Project Office. This year, I have made almost €38m available for QBC development, of which €24.7m has been allocated...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 93 and 162 together. The position in relation to drivers involved in road accidents and testing for alcohol levels is outlined in the Road Traffic Acts. The Road Traffic Act 1994 makes provision that a member of the Garda Síochána may require a person in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle to provide a preliminary breath specimen where the vehicle...

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

Martin Cullen: Transport 21 includes a provision for a Metro line from the City Centre to Swords via Dublin Airport. This does not include an extension to Donabate, nor was such a link envisaged in the Dublin Transportation Office's strategy "A Platform for Change". It is intended that the Metro line will terminate north of Swords at Lissenhall. However, there is a major park and ride site planned at the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The preparatory work on the draft legislation to facilitate open-road tolling is well underway in my Department. I anticipate, subject to Government approval and other priorities on the legislative programme, that this legislation will be published in the Autumn.

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The views of the Competition Authority in relation to the car testing arrangements will be considered carefully by my Department in the context of preparing proposals for Government in due course on the arrangements to apply to the National Car Test post-2009 when the current contractual arrangements will have concluded.

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

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 154 together. 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 recently by Dublin Bus and the bus market reform process. I will make a decision on the application...

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

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 94 together. Bus Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath are both proceeding with the introduction of automatic vehicle location technology. On 30 April 2006 Bus Éireann announced it is to roll out satellite navigation based automatic vehicle location technology across its entire fleet of 700 vehicles, enabling customers across the country to access real time...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 97, 122, 123, 160 and 274 together. In accordance with Directive 96/96/EC relating to compulsory periodic roadworthiness testing of vehicles, buses are liable to testing when they are 1 year old and every year thereafter. The Directive, in relation to the testing of goods vehicles and buses, is currently transposed into Irish law by the European...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the M50 road-widening scheme, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the local authorities concerned. I have no function in relation to the day-to-day operation of these projects. Traffic management in general is a matter for the appropriate local authority and in the case of the M50, that...

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

Martin Cullen: The Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 stated that compulsory initial practical training for motorcyclists would be introduced. A working group comprising of motorcycle interests has been considering the appropriate standards that will apply in this area and the standards that instructors must comply with. Overseeing the introduction of such training will be the responsibility of the proposed...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 145 together. Following on from a Government decision of 18 May 2005 on capacity at Dublin Airport, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is working towards the provision of additional terminal capacity, and particularly the development of Terminal 2, in line with the timetable envisaged at the time of the Government decision. The actual specifications of...