Results 5,521-5,540 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 425 and 445 together. On 2 November 2005, I met a delegation from the Midland Railway Action Group to discuss the matter of the re-opening of the Athlone to Mullingar Railway line. At our meeting, it was agreed that the Group would revert to me with a detailed proposal, supported by a complimentary land use and settlement strategy. Consequently a project...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 426 to 428, inclusive, together. Details on the numbers waiting and average waiting times are set out in the table. Test applicants and average waiting Time at Dublin Test Centres at 29/05/06 Centre No. Average Weeks North Leinster Finglas 12,348 36 Raheny 8,291 45 Churchtown/Rathgar 12,921 41 Tallaght 10,677 49 In relation to the...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 429 and 430 together. The question of outsourcing was referred to arbitration, which ultimately upheld the unions' view of the clauses of Sustaining Progress that outsourcing was not permitted under Sustaining Progress. Nevertheless, as the Arbitration Board urged all parties to examine all options to deal with the backlog in the interests of road safety,...

Written Answers — Air Accident Investigations: Air Accident Investigations (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: This matter falls within the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), in which I have no function. While I am responsible for policy issues in relation to Irish aviation generally, the day to day operation and management of airports is a matter for the relevant airport authority. The family was in touch with my Department on a number of occasions in...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: It is my objective to eliminate the backlog of driving tests by mid-2007 and my Department has developed a package of measures in consultation with staff interests to achieve this. A total of 91 of the existing driver testers are participating in a bonus scheme, which is expected to deliver up to 40,000 additional driving tests in a year. Furthermore 7 Civil Servants, redeployed from the...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 435 and 440 together. Cllr. Mary Fitzpatrick has arranged for the association referred to by the Deputy to meet with me and Department officials this Wednesday 31 May 2006. Provisions in relation to the regulation of road traffic and parking are contained in the Road Traffic Acts and in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997-2005....

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: Statistics relating to road accidents, based on information provided by the Garda Síochána, are currently published by the National Roads Authority (NRA) in their annual Road Accident Facts reports. The most recent report, now entitled "Road Collision Facts", relates to 2004 and is available in the Oireachtas Library and on the NRA website.

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: Section 35 empowers the Minister for Transport to make regulations for the general regulation and control of traffic (including the parking of vehicles) and pedestrians in public places. Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations and associated Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations that have been made from 1997 to 2005 are available for road authorities to use for the purposes that I have...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: Fire and other health and safety measures relating to crowd management at Dublin Airport are not the responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority. However the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has informed me that Fire Safety at Dublin Airport is in line with the highest international standards. The DAA has a full time Fire Safety Manager who, in close consultation with the Dublin Fire Brigade...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that the company welcomes credit/debit card payments at most of its outlets and is extending these facilities progressively across the rail network. All automatic ticket vending machines accept credit cards. This includes most DART and Commuter stations, as automatic ticket machines are now widely available at these stations. All major Intercity stations...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: The specific information requested by the Deputy is not available.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: The information requested is set out in the table. Year Testing Corps Supervisory Corps* 29/5/06 121 10 2005 115 10 2004 118 10 2003 119 10 2002 114 10 2001 119 9 2000 107 6 1999 101 6 1998 74 6 1997 68 6 1996 70 6 *This figure does not include the Chief Tester. One supervisory tester fulfils the role of Training Co-ordinator.

Written Answers — Railway Stations: Railway Stations (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: The location of stations on the rail network is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. The company informs me that the former Killucan Station is quite a distance from Killucan village and there are very few houses within a mile or two of the former station. The villages of Killucan and Rathuire have modest populations and no plans for major expansion. A new station would be totally reliant on park...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 446 and 447 together. Article 20 of the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 1999-2004 specifies the conditions that holders of provisional licences must comply with to ensure that the provisional licence has effect. If the conditions set out are not complied with a person may be prosecuted under Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 for driving...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (30 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: As I indicated in my reply to the previous questions, in the short term there is not a capacity problem on the system which would prevent the processing of additional driving tests. Having said this, the basic code on which it relies is over 10 years old. This brings with it a number of significant inflexibilities which, in my view, make it a very much less than efficient tool on which to...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (25 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: My Department has no function in relation to this matter. Industrial relations in Iarnród Éireann are a day-to-day operational matter for the company itself and the trade unions concerned. I am pleased that the issue have been resolved and that passengers on the Dublin to Cork rail service are availing of the increased standards provided by the new Mark IV trains.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (25 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: There are no plans to open a driving test centre in Drogheda. The existing centres in Dundalk, Navan and Finglas provide for the demand in Drogheda and the general area.

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (25 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: Commuter services from Carlow and Athy to Dublin are currently provided by a combination of local and InterCity trains. In March 2006 the service was improved by the addition of an extra morning peak service to Dublin. Morning services for commuters from Carlow to Dublin depart at 06.30, 07.18 and 08.45. Return evening services to Athy and Carlow leave Dublin at 16.25, 18.25 and 19.45. With...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (25 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Kildare Route Project involves the four-tracking of a critical section of the Kildare line between Cherry Orchard and Hazelhatch. The project will allow separation of long distance and commuter services and improve speed and capacity for commuter, regional and intercity services. Having completed detailed planning and design, CIÉ applied for a Railway Order in October of 2005. I received...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (25 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: The structure of rail fares is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I understand that the company is currently engaged in a review of all fare structures. It is expected that this review will be completed by the end of the year.