Results 6,601-6,620 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Decentralisation Programme. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: No, but perhaps I conveyed that. I was saying it is a question of whether the centre in Dublin should be located at the big headquarters in Drogheda and whether we should marshal the centres in Valentia and Malin as two other centres. Rather than recommending having the Maritime Safety Directorate on its own in Drogheda, the review stated the big Dublin centre might be incorporated into it...

Decentralisation Programme. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: No. The service exists in Dublin but when the decision was made to move the Maritime Safety Directorate to Drogheda, those involved also considered moving the centre in Dublin. A proposal, which has not been signed off, has been made to include the latter with the development in Drogheda as opposed to leaving it in Dublin. There would also be two outreach centres, in Valentia and Malin.

Decentralisation Programme. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: Yes, because there are effectively three independent centres at present. If I put together the two headquarters, that is, the Dublin Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre and the Maritime Safety Directorate, this would effectively leave two independent centres elsewhere. However, these two independent centres would be under the auspices of the main centre in Drogheda. That is how I understand...

Decentralisation Programme. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: The final decision has not been taken. I have only received the information. The proposal was teased out and it was recommended that the centre in Dublin should move in that direction. However, it is not finalised and it has only come to me——

Decentralisation Programme. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I would like to do so very quickly because the staff need clarity in terms of the decentralisation programme. The proposal has just been forwarded to me and, having gone through it very quickly, my sense of it is as I have outlined. If the Deputy tables a parliamentary question, I hope I will have reached a definitive position when making my response. I hope I have conveyed the position to...

Decentralisation Programme. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I have outlined to the Deputies my understanding of the issue. Frankly, am not convinced the matter has been thought through to the nth degree. If Deputy Olivia Mitchell tables a parliamentary question, I will tease out the matter with her. I would be a bit concerned if the entire east coast were not party to the new arrangement——

Decentralisation Programme. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: ——such that there would be a minimum of one on the east coast and one on the west coast.

Decentralisation Programme. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: My understanding was that the Maritime Safety Directorate in Drogheda would form part of that arrangement — maybe this is an assumption and I could be wrong.

Decentralisation Programme. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy may be correct but that is how I understand the matter. I promise I will return to the Deputy on the matter and try to give her a fuller answer.

Decentralisation Programme. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: As soon as I know the position I will try to clarify that point. If the proposal is to have no centre on the east coast and two elsewhere, I would be concerned about it.

Decentralisation Programme. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I will.

National Car Test. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 202, 206 and 265 together. The report on the outcome of the mid-term review of the national car testing service conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers for my Department was received in the Department at the end of October 2005. The Department is now in discussion with the National Car Testing Service with a view to implementing the recommendations contained...

National Car Test. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I do not disagree fundamentally with the Deputy. The key sentence in my reply is, "The discussions are being conducted in accordance with the contract change procedures". I am tied to the procedures, which were agreed previously, relating to how the changes are to be brought about. This is what the mid-term review report feeds into. I have said to the Deputy and give my word that I would like...

National Car Test. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy raised a serious and important issue, of which I am well aware. I have heard much evidence about the context of how cars coming into the country are insured, the powers of the Garda Síochána to impound cars and the issue which the Deputy rightly raises, namely, the quality testing standards to which these cars should be subject. I have initiated consideration of this issue, which...

National Car Test. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I must be clear on this point. My concern is for everybody on the roads, irrespective of nationality. That is the position in which I find myself and I have no difficulty with it. I agree with the Deputy that I would not want to be seen to be picking on one sector or another. Deputy Olivia Mitchell raised a legitimate and important question in the context of the application of the NCT. No...

Transport Policy. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 126 together. Since the launch of Transport 21 in November last, I have received applications for two railway orders for Luas extensions to docklands and Cherrywood. The public inquiries for these projects, are expected to be completed by the summer and contracts awarded by the end of the year. The Cherrywood extension is expected to commence...

Transport Policy. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy's opening remarks were correct in that many of these projects had been in planning. There was no certainty of any of them going ahead. Transport 21 provided immediate funding to get the projects up and running, which is what has happened. Later this month the public consultation on the metro north route will commence, which is quick progress. In terms of the framework scheduling in...

Transport Policy. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: If the Deputies want to tell me we are behind schedule, they should point out where we are behind. We are not behind. With regard to the ordering of rolling stock, last year we placed huge orders for intercity carriages for Iarnród Éireann, which will be delivered in 18 months. We do not need six years to place orders. Moreover, we want to get the most modern equipment available.

Transport Policy. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: Major international tunnelling projects have been completed well within that timeframe. I have no doubt it is possible to do this. My expectation is that we will deliver it. I do not, however, underestimate the complexity of delivering the projects. One of the major tasks assigned to Dr. Margaret O'Mahony was identifying a key person with the necessary hands-on project experience,...

Transport Policy. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Cullen: Not really, it was a fair cost. Nobody appears to recognise the quality of roads being built in Ireland is far higher than that in other European countries.