Results 5,881-5,900 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: The table below sets out the number of applicants waiting each test centre, and the corresponding average waiting time for each test centre, at 27th March 2006. Included in the table is the pass rate for each centre at 31st December 2005. Waiting times and Numbers on hands as at 27 March 2006 — Pass rate year ending 31 December 2005 Centre Number Waiting Average Weeks Waiting Pass...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: Iarnród Éireann has undertaken extensive engagement with industry and transporters around the country to try to identify long-term, sustainable rail freight business opportunities. Despite recent setbacks, the company has made progress in growing the rail freight business in areas where it holds a competitive advantage over road haulage, including mineral ore and pulpwood. Iarnród Éireann...

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: I move amendment No. 28: In page 15, to delete lines 1 to 4. This amendment was proposed by Deputy Shortall on Committee Stage and on further consideration I decided to accept it. The effect of the amendment is to remove the restriction on the chief executive officer commenting on or criticising Government policy while giving evidence to committees of the Dáil. We should all be big enough...

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: Under section 26(5) the road safety authority will be designated under the Freedom of Information Act 1997. Section 6(1) of that Act provides for access to records. It states: Subject to the provisions of this Act, every person has a right to and shall, on a request therefor, be offered access to any record held by a public body and the right so conferred is referred to in this Act as the...

Road Safety Authority Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: I thank my colleagues for their support and for the great effort they put into the Bill. I hope I have gone some way to meeting the requirements expressed by amendments. We hope this Bill will be a substantive contribution to road safety. I appreciate the interest shown by the Members and thank them for their warm encouragement to the chairman of the new road safety authority. He feels it is...

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take all the questions together. I extend my sincere sympathy to Michael and Martina White on the tragic death of their only son, Michael, in yesterday's bus accident. I also offer my sympathy to Ciara on the loss of her brother. Our priority in the immediate aftermath of this tragic accident is to look after and support the bereaved family, the injured and traumatised children...

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: It is important to understand that the authorities involved in issuing licences have specific responsibilities in so doing. Moreover, they co-operate closely in this respect. The Garda Síochána and the testing authorities are responsible for roadworthiness. As far as this bus was concerned, I am happy to state that this was done properly. Before a bus can be taxed, its owner must present a...

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: That is not correct.

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: Slightly. I must be precise and I stated this in a precise fashion.

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: He had an operator's licence from my Department.

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: For clarity, as this is an important issue, the vehicle registered on his licence is not the vehicle that was involved in the accident. The vehicle that was involved in the accident was not registered on the operator's licence.

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: This is a technical issue and I do not want to build it into a more extraordinary matter. There could be legitimate reasons, in terms of contractual arrangements with other companies, which may overcome this issue. I do not know. Obviously, this will form part of the investigation. However, I need to get clarity in that respect. I am not in a position to resolve this.

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: It was not registered under this operator's licence.

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: I have not seen any report from the previous accident last year. The matter is with the Director of Public Prosecutions, out of which many issues arise. I made clear to the House that I cannot comment on that matter. The 1932 Act is being redrafted. Over the past 15 years, the Act has been referred to by almost every political party in the House. I am determined to introduce a new Bill this...

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: On the last point, my colleagues in the House have been involved in an enormous amount of work in this regard. The decision we made is based on EU standards and expert advice. I set this out in the note I made available to Members. In the interests of clarity, this vehicle was not part of the school transport system. It is important to discern the difference between the two issues. The school...

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Road Transport Act 1932 governs occasional or scheduled services. This is not the case in this instance. As it is just a private hire arrangement, it does not form part of the licensing scheme whereby a bus which is licensed to travel from Cork to Dublin regularly is considered a daily schedule.

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: I spoke about the legislation earlier.

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: I said there were issues of free trade, of which I gave an example earlier. I clarified the issue further when I said that we would be required to notify every country within the EU that we were taking this step and they would have to agree that we could do so.

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: It is worth repeating what has been said by my colleagues, namely, that in the school transport system we will have a seat per child, with a seat belt, by December of this year.

Road Safety. (5 Apr 2006)

Martin Cullen: No. I will not over-complicate the matter. The Department of Education and Science is a contracting authority. As such, it is permitted to set the standards of vehicles which it requires to deliver a particular service for it. Long before last year's accident, much work was being done to move on from three seats for two pupils and to investigate the safety belt issue. In fairness to the...