Results 5,701-5,720 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

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

Martin Cullen: The number of driving tests scheduled to be conducted by a driver tester each day depends upon the time of year, the category of vehicle being tested, the test location and if a tester is working overtime. A driver tester's normal working hours are from 9.15 to 5.30. In the case of driving tests in cars, eight 50 minute tests per day are normally scheduled. Driving tests in higher category...

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

Martin Cullen: Iarnród Éireann is taking delivery of 67 new carriages which will enter service on the Cork-Dublin route during the course of this year. To date, 6 sets of 8 carriages have been delivered. The first of these carriages is due to enter service in the coming weeks following the completion of commissioning tests and sign off by the Railway Safety Commissioner. I understand from Iarnród...

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

Martin Cullen: A working group, including motorcycle interests has been considering the appropriate standards that will apply to compulsory initial practical training for motorcyclists. Overseeing the introduction of such training will be the responsibility of the proposed Road Safety Authority. It is also my intention that a requirement that motorcyclists with provisional licences must display L-plates...

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

Martin Cullen: My Department identified sustainability as a key objective in its Statement of Strategy 2005-2007 and it was taken fully into account in preparing Transport 21. Transport 21 aims to optimise the efficiency of the overall transport network, which will result in more economic use of oil. Transport 21 also provides for a major re-balancing in favour of public transport. It will see public...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Government is pursuing the commitment given in the national Road Safety Strategy to introduce legislation to address a number of priority issues, in particular, drink driving and speeding. The Government recently approved the priority drafting of a new Road Traffic Bill. It is intended that the Bill will be published during the current Dáil session.

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

Martin Cullen: Each of the CIÉ companies has seen a substantial increase in the sale of annual and monthly commuter tickets in recent years. Much of the growth can be attributed to the tax savings accruing to those who commit to purchasing annual tickets under the Tax Saver scheme which comes under the remit of my colleague, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., Minister for Finance. For example, Dublin Bus has 1,700...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 159 together. As the Deputy will be aware, I have no direct function in relation to the funding of the pension schemes in which Aer Lingus participates. I understand that, on the basis of the most recent actuarial valuation, the Irish Airlines Superannuation (General Employees) Scheme is in deficit if provision is to be made for future increases in...

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

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 336 together. 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...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 317 together. I am satisfied that an intensive public awareness campaign has been undertaken in relation to the penalty point system. The National Safety Council (NSC), as the agency mandated with responsibility for road safety education and information, operates a dedicated penalty point website www.penaltypoints.ie. This website has recently been...

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

Martin Cullen: The Government is pursuing the commitment given in the Road Safety Strategy to introduce a network of privatised speed cameras. A Working Group chaired by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and representing my Department, the Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies, has carried out an in depth examination into the issue of the engagement of private sector interests in the...

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

Martin Cullen: The National Safety Council is the agency mandated with responsibility for road safety advertising and education. The Council has now published road safety leaflets in 8 languages including Polish, Latvian and Lithuanian. The leaflets have been distributed widely through foreign newspapers that are in circulation in this country and throughout the relevant communities. The leaflets are also...

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

Martin Cullen: The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects is a matter for the NRA. Regional and local roads, which constitute the greater percentage of public roads in Ireland, are a matter for the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the relevant local authority. In relation to national roads, the NRA have confirmed that the same statutory...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I have asked my officials to liaise with the Courts Services to pursue improved analysis and tracking of the issue of drug driving offences. The Road Traffic Act 1994 makes provision that a member of the Garda Síochána may, where he or she is of the opinion that a person in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place is under the influence of a drug or drugs to such an...

Written Answers — State Companies: State Companies (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: I understand that the Great Southern Hotel Group (GSH) has retained advisers to examine and advise on all aspects of the disposal process for the hotels. I am informed by the Dublin Airport Authority, of which the Great Southern Hotels Group is a subsidiary, that the focus on the process to date has been on communicating with staff and trade unions, developing an appropriate strategy for the...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: It is not the practice on security grounds to disclose information about breaches of airport security or the corrective measures that may be implemented to address any such breaches. The requirements for airport security are prescribed by EU Regulation No. 2320/2002 and associated implementing legislation. I am satisfied that the aviation security practices and procedures implemented at Irish...

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

Martin Cullen: I do not accept that I have not consulted satisfactorily with Aer Lingus staff or trade unions on the future of the company. Prior to the Government decision in May last year to dispose of a majority shareholding in Aer Lingus to facilitate equity investment in the company I had consulted with the trade unions on the future ownership structure and funding requirements of the company as...

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

Martin Cullen: Last week, I signed Regulations to implement EU Directive 2004/54/EC (Minimum Safety Requirements for Tunnels in the Trans-European Network.) The Regulations establish levels of technical provision that must be attained in all tunnels falling within the ambit of the Directive. It also establishes procedures and processes to govern the design, construction and operational phases of such...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (3 May 2006)

Martin Cullen: Section 36 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, as amended by section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 2004, provides for a system of automatic disqualification from applying for or holding a small public service vehicle driver or vehicle licence in respect of persons who have been convicted of one of a range of very serious offences, including murder, manslaughter and various sexual, drug trafficking...

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

Martin Cullen: Iarnród Éireann has advised me that the company continues to carry cycles on most InterCity rail services. All existing locomotive hauled InterCity trains and the new InterCity trains shortly to be introduced on the Dublin-Cork line, will carry cycles. In addition, the new fleet of 150 InterCity railcars currently on order for use on all regional routes including Dublin to Limerick, Tralee,...

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

Martin Cullen: A bilateral Air Transport Agreement between Ireland and Cuba was signed in 1991. Under this Agreement there is provision for flights for designated airlines between Ireland, including Shannon Airport, and Cuba. However there are currently no direct flights between the two countries. Persons wishing to fly to Cuba from Ireland may do so indirectly. Decisions about opening up air services...