Results 7,361-7,380 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I agree with a number of points the Deputy made. We need to make a huge investment in public transport generally, but specifically in Dublin. I have not changed my view. When I came to conclusions having listened to everybody about what should be in the plan, I would not accept any attempt to alter the plan because it must be a fully integrated plan that will take Dublin into the future....

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: In reply to Deputy Ryan, "no" is the answer. I will not get——

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: First, as the Deputy knows, I have instructed the NRA and everybody else to do the complete feasibility study on the eastern by-pass and, therefore, I do not have a costing.

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: Sorry, the Deputy should wait until he sees the plan.

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: Who said that was in it?

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I did not. The Deputy did, I did not.

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: Give me the answer. Put the facts again on the record, if you want to hear them.

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I agree, Deputy but if it takes an extra few months to get this right, I have been willing to do it. Every day I hear in this House Labour, Fine Gael and the Greens pretending that with a click of their fingers they will change health services and infrastructure, as if they have some magical solutions. Not one policy has emerged from the Greens, the Labour Party or Fine Gael——

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: ——on any area, but they come into this House day in, day out pretending that they have solutions. It is a load of baloney and it is time they were asked by us and the media to stand up what they are saying or shut up.

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: Significant Exchequer funds have been allocated to Dublin Bus under the National Development Plan — NDP. Some €349 million in operating subvention has been paid to the company over the period from 1999 to 2005, rising from €16.8 million in 1999 to €64.9 million in the current year. Under the NDP, Dublin Bus has purchased 497 new buses of which 93 are additional and 404 are replacement...

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I do not know whether people understand this but, at pain of repeating myself, what seems to be the basis of Deputy Shortall's view and that of others is that Dublin Bus should have got new smaller buses. What Dublin Bus did was to buy buses with a completely different configuration which allowed it to increase capacity carrying in Dublin by over 25%. The replacement buses for which we...

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: As Minister responsible, I am charged with maximising the use of taxpayers' money. I have asked Dublin Bus to do this evaluation, but I cannot go to Busáras and write it for Dublin Bus. As soon as the company has completed its assessment, we agree terms and it comes to me, I will give Dublin Bus the new buses. Unless policy has changed — Labour Party and Fine Gael Party policy seems to be...

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: It must maximise the use of buses on peak routes and must be flexible in changing routes because of increased capacity on the DART and the impact of the Luas.

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: There has not been an assessment of the route network in Dublin for decades. It may be the Deputy's view that we should stay with what we have ——

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: —— when public transport investment has changed fundamentally in Dublin, but I have asked the company for its assessment to be completed and given to me. Based on that, we will meet the requirements. What the Deputy wants me to do, in advance of any proper assessment, is simply to give Dublin Bus the buses, without any guarantee of value for money for the taxpayer.

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Fine Gael and Labour Deputies are speaking in total contradiction of what their party leaders say in the House week after week. When it suits them to sing a different song, they do so.

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I assure the Deputy that nobody has championed public transport more than I have. The proof of this will be seen in a few weeks. It is frustrating for me. I would love to have the plan out today or last week.

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: No it is not. I will produce the plan. The Deputy will see it and can make her judgment on it.

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have not refused to give Dublin Bus the buses.

Public Transport. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: What I have said is that the least we can ask Dublin Bus, or any other company or agency that is in receipt of hundreds of millions of taxpayers' money, is to account for how it can maximise and get best value for that money.