Results 6,241-6,260 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy should not ignore the fact that we made great progress at the previous meeting in securing agreement on the notification of serious disqualification offences to both authorities. That is a major step forward.

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: Three different penalty points systems are in operation and while that is the case, the system cannot recognise a variety of points. To overcome this I suggested that if we cannot recognise penalty points directly, we should find a system of notification to both jurisdictions of those who have points and then be able to apply them here or in Northern Ireland to drivers on either side of the...

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: I do not have that information. Meetings take place constantly at official level.

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: I agree. This is all part of a larger package. We must accept that progress has been made recently. The new systems have now come on stream, allowing me to expand penalty points to cover 35 offences.

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: From 3 April the new computerised system will be available to all members of the Garda traffic corps.

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: Equally, the establishment of the road safety authority, which will collate the information from myriad bodies on road traffic offences, accidents and injuries, was called for repeatedly. We are making progress with the systems, although we are not there yet. I accept that.

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: The penalty points systems in Northern Ireland and Britain are different. There are also different legal systems, which make things even more complex.

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Republic of Ireland is at the forefront of this issue. The only medium to long-term solution to this is an EU-wide system with a legal basis and mutual recognition of penalty points in all member states. In advance of that, at least on this island, the authorities in the North and ourselves are moving ahead. We have taken a significant step forward, which is in advance of anything...

Public Transport. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 58, 59, 88, 115, 122, 136, 156 and 160 together. I am committed to the delivery of a high quality, effective public transport system and Transport 21 is testimony to this commitment. I am also committed to modernising the regulatory framework governing public transport, not only in Dublin but nationally. Specifically, at the launch of Transport 21 I stated...

Public Transport. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy and I are in agreement. My assessment is that Dublin needs a substantial number of new buses on routes and Transport 21 provides for a 60% expansion of the city's bus network. I received the bus network review for Dublin just last Thursday. This document is central to any action one might take in the Dublin area as one must know where the network is likely to grow. For several...

Public Transport. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: That is correct.

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: The operation of the penalty points system, which commenced with effect from 31 October 2002 in respect of speeding offences, was subsequently extended to apply to the offences of driving without insurance, careless driving and offences relating to the non-wearing of seat belts. When a driver accumulates 12 penalty points, he or she is automatically disqualified for a period of six months...

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: They will be signed before 3 April 2006, which is the commencement date for the 31 new penalty points.

Road Traffic Offences. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: I thank the Deputy for her comments. She raised an important issue a few weeks ago in respect of the national driver file and the automatic transmission of information held by it to the gardaí, which I have acted upon. That issue was raised in the context of other points just made by the Deputy. A total of 49 people have been disqualified under the penalty points system. We must remember...

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 53 together. As the Deputy will be aware, in its decision of 18 May 2005, the Government agreed to the State disposing of a majority shareholding in Aer Lingus and retaining a stake of at least 25% to protect strategic interests provided that the Minister for Finance and I are satisfied that this level of disposal is warranted on foot of the analysis...

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am taking this action for precisely the reasons the Deputy outlined. As I said on numerous occasions, I am seeking to position the airline for growth, increase the number of jobs——

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: To position the company for growth, it is essential that substantial funding is available, not just in the short term but in the medium to long term. As the Deputy knows, the purchase or lease of aircraft, which has the same effect on a balance sheet, can take a number of years in lead-in time in terms of purchasing aircraft, planning new routes and getting new destinations. In fairness to...

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: I said that there is an immediate, medium and short-term need for investment in the company. The company is planning to invest approximately €2 billion in aircraft purchase in the medium term. It is examining many new routes into the United States, which will be available under the open skies policy. The competition for and on these routes will be great. The agreement I succeeded in getting...

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: It is a relative term. I acknowledge the huge effort of the staff, trade unions and management. They have been the most successful in turning around a national airline since 9/11, for which they must be congratulated. I want to secure that effort and ensure that Aer Lingus grows in terms of jobs, tourism, industry and the development of this country. The only way it can be achieved is by way...

Air Services. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy and his colleagues will be aware, almost every plan for Aer Lingus over the past decade and beyond have been crisis plans. This is the first time we had an opportunity to position the company for growth and development. The Deputy is correct because if Aer Lingus was in crisis, there would not be much point approaching anyone as nobody would be interested in it. We must take...