Results 5,661-5,680 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: Official statistics relating to seat belt wearing are compiled and published by the National Roads Authority (NRA). The most recent published data is contained in the 2005 Survey of Seat Belt Wearing Rates. The 2005 survey shows that the wearing rate for adults in the rear seats of cars remained unchanged at 46% from the last survey in 2003. However, in relation to school children travelling...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: Statistics on these issues are available from a variety of sources including the Central Statistics Office and State agencies. For example, statistics on commuting patterns and mode use are available from the Central Statistics Office in publications such as the Census of Population (Travel to Work, School and College) Volume, and the Road Freight Transport Survey. Statistics on freight and...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: Statistics relating to road accidents are based on information provided by the Garda Síochána, and 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. Statistics relating to 2005 are not yet...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 98 and 139 together. I am aware from Iarnród Éireann that the number of bridge strikes by heavy goods vehicles has increased from 82 in 1995 to 203 in 2005. Iarnród Éireann has taken a number of initiatives to reduce the incidence of bridge strikes including a signage programme on all headroom restricted bridges and an information and publicity...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: Transport 21 provides inter alia for a city centre Luas link between St. Stephen's Green and the Luas Red line. The RPA is at present progressing this project. In November 2005, the RPA launched a public consultation on five potential routes for linking both Luas lines in the city centre. Over 200 submissions were received by RPA on the various route options and discussions are on-going to...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: The European Commission and US authorities concluded the EU-US Aviation negotiations on Friday 18 November 2005. The Agreement was considered by the Transport Council in December 2005, where the text of the agreement received unanimous support. The Council observed that improvements in the US rules on ownership and control of airlines would be an essential element for a Stage One deal to be...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Irish Aviation Authority has informed me that the current European regulations and aircraft certification standards require the provision of an approved seat and restraint system for each passenger.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 119, 131 and 135 together. The Garda Síochána is investigating fully the circumstances surrounding the tragic bus incident in Co. Offaly on 4 April 2006. In carrying out the investigation, I am conscious that the gardaí will be examining whether a breach of the road traffic law or road transport law contributed to this incident. I am also conscious of...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: The current level of fees for licences issued in accordance with the Road Transport Act 1932 does not meet the true cost of administering and enforcing the bus licensing system. This is but one aspect of the acknowledged limitations of the 1932 Act and it reinforces the need for reform and modernisation of this legislation. Proposals for a major reform of the public transport market,...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 337 together. I share the concern of both Deputies about reducing the environmental impact of transport. However transport emissions must be considered in the context of the sector's pivotal role in supporting economic prosperity, regional development and social inclusion. Growth in transport emissions is driven by strong transport demand associated...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am aware of the general circumstances surrounding the recent hoax bomb scares on a Ryanair and Aer Arann aircraft. Both airlines have furnished initial reports on the incidents to my Department. I understand that Ryanair has also been in touch with the UK Department for Transport in the matter. Given that the bomb threat warning was detected while each aircraft was flying within UK...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: The development of the support system for the penalty point system involved significant and ongoing consultation with all the State Agencies involved including An Garda Síochána, the Court Service, the Vehicle Registration Unit of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform. The position is kept under review and...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 171 together. I refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 502 on Tuesday 25 April. As I have indicated on a number of occasions, the delay in providing driving tests is a matter of regret to me. I believe it not only represents a poor service to the public but it is also hampering the development of initiatives which I wish to pursue and which will...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 160 together. I am committed to modernizing the regulatory framework governing public transport, not just in Dublin, but nationally. In particular, at the launch of Transport 21, I said that I was convinced that we need a new approach to transport in the Greater Dublin Area, delivered through a single authority with the power to ensure joined-up...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: From 1st May, 2006 the following vehicles put into service for the first time must be fitted with a digital tachograph: —Vehicles used for the carriage of goods where the maximum permissible weight of the vehicle including any trailer or semi-trailer exceeds 3.5 tonnes; —Vehicles used for the carriage of passengers which, by virtue of their construction and equipment, are suitable for...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: The motorway driving rule that the Deputy refers to is not a recent measure but in fact was introduced as far back as 1st October 1997 with the commencement of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (SI No. 182 of 1997). The rules for traffic on a motorway contained in article 33 of these 1997 Regulations have therefore been part of road traffic law for a number of years at...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 164 together. At the outset, I should explain that the planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the M50 upgrade and other roads joining up with the M50, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the local authorities concerned. The M50 upgrade project involves the widening of around 31km of...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 122 together. While I am preparing amendments to driver licensing regulations to discourage long term reliance on provisional licences, the implementation of any licensing reform is dependent on the current unacceptable driver testing backlog being cleared.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 113 and 326 together. The report on the outcome of the mid-term review of the national car testing service conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for my Department was received in the Department at the end of October 2005. My Department has concluded discussions with the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) on the recommendations contained in the PwC...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 153 together. In 2001 airlines in Europe developed the Airline Passenger Service Commitment following consultation with representatives of air travellers, European governments and the European Commission. The Service Commitment contained non-legally binding commitments to deliver defined standards of service to air travellers and stated that signatory...