Results 5,461-5,480 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: It is not Fianna Fáil's position to do that. We want a balanced outcome for the development of all the airports and we will get it.

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The game-playing that goes on with Fine Gael trying to play off both is unsustainable, as Deputy Allen knows. We will have a conclusion on this in the next few weeks. I told Deputy Allen the terminal will be completed in the next few days. I did not say when it would be opened.

State Airports. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: That is a matter for the Cork Airport Authority. If it cannot open the terminal after getting €200 million for it, that is a poor look-out for the future.

Driving Tests. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 81, 117, 141, 147, 151 and 285 together. This question should have been taken earlier as it is repetitive. I refer to Priority Question No. 55 which I answered earlier. As I have consistently indicated, the delay in providing driving tests is a matter of regret to me. It not only represents a poor service to the public but it also hampers the development...

Driving Tests. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I do not agree with Deputy Shortall's assertion that the proposals, which I hope will be agreed this week, will not have an impact. They will have a substantial impact.

Driving Tests. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: They will have a substantial impact on the backlog. Both sides agree this. I have agreed to review the process and the achievements later. We need to radically overhaul the driver testing system from two points of view — the system of delivering tests, and the criteria for someone driving on the road and the licensing system that should be in place. The new chief executive and the board of...

Driving Tests. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The chief executive is examining the requirements.

Driving Tests. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Road Safety Authority has plans to do so and the funding is available.

Driving Tests. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: If the Deputy tables a question I will seek the answer from the chief executive.

Driving Tests. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I responded directly to what the Deputy asked. The new chief executive, the board and over 300 members of staff of the Road Safety Authority have been put in place. It is their job to run the authority and they are well paid to do so. I will deal with the policy area. I have agreed that the systems are not capable and that more modern systems are needed. I have agreed our policies are poor in...

Driving Tests. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I made proposals that were blocked by the union, supported by Deputy Shortall. I do not want to hear a load of baloney. I have answered the question three times.

Driving Tests. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I have not.

Driving Tests. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I hope we will carry out 180,000 tests this year. I agree the system as it was would not eliminate the backlog. In spite of every effort to thwart my plans to outsource tests, I stuck to my guns. I was successful at every level in terms of resolving this issue but I wish I had received better co-operation. Despite people telling me to abandon the matter and to give up, I did not do so. There...

Driving Tests. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I agree with the Deputy. I have made my views known to the Road Safety Authority, RSA, that it should prioritise areas that are clearly in a bad position regarding the number of tests that remain to be completed. I hope the resources used will be allocated on a basis that will tackle the worst areas and take into account some of the factors to which the Deputy referred. That is common sense...

Driving Tests. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I agree with the Deputy in that the number of people who are not attending for tests or who are cancelling them is unacceptable and it has a significant impact on the efficiency of the system as it exists. There is no doubt about that. On the system side, we require mechanisms that are far more capable of dealing with cases where people do not attend in the context of obtaining replacements...

Air Services. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Government's intention is to retain a significant shareholding in Aer Lingus so that key strategic interests can be protected. In this regard, the State will retain a minimum shareholding of at least 25.1% in the company, although the exact figure still has to be decided. This is significant because a minimum shareholding of 25.1% in a public company ensures the holder of that interest...

Air Services. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: My reply to the Deputy was clear. I described a significant shareholding as a minimum of 25.1%. The exact figure has not been decided, so it will be a minimum of 25.1%. It may well be more than that but I am obviously waiting for the final analysis from the advisers with regard to that position. That is of some significance. I have had discussions with the company, trade unions etc., in...

Air Services. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: It certainly is not part of an exit strategy. Obviously, the Deputy is anticipating that we may be in power after the next election. In that event, the position will not change and we will retain 25.1% of the company. That shareholding could be more, in the initial stages, and this would provide us with some headroom.

Air Services. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy can be absolutely certain there will not be another flotation of the company during the lifetime of the Government. I know where she is going with her questioning. I can only speak on behalf of this Government. The position is that we will retain a minimum shareholding of 25.1% in the company. That is absolute.

Air Services. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: There is. The Deputy is trying to put words in my mouth.