Results 7,401-7,420 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Driver Testing. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I know the figures involved.

Driver Testing. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy did not ask me for them.

Driver Testing. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: In June 2003——

Driver Testing. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have no problem giving the information. The information was not sought in the question. I do not carry all that information in my head but I have no issue giving the Deputy the costs. I would be happy to make them available to him.

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: In 2003, the Transport Council gave the European Commission a mandate to commence open skies negotiations with the USA. It had been hoped that a deal could be reached by June 2004 and Ireland clearly indicated that the current Shannon stop requirement should be phased out over a period of years. As it happened, it was not possible to reach agreement in 2004. Following a series of technical...

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I do not know whether the Deputy is enunciating policy on his own behalf or whether it is Fine Gael policy that Ireland should not take advantage of a huge open skies policy to seek out 22 new destinations in America which would result in considerable tourism business to the benefit of this country. These are routes we would have dreamed about a few years ago but which we cannot access...

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: No deal has been done between me and the US. There was unanimous agreement at EU level about the conclusion of a deal. The Deputy is wrong to suggest we are somehow alone in this. Agreement to close a deal was unanimous between all 25 countries.

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: Yes. The UK is in the chair; it holds the EU Presidency. In fact, I think I am going to the UK to meet the British transport minister next week. I have already had a number of meetings with him at Council level and I have met the European Commissioner on a number of occasions. My officials have gone to the US. Meetings were again held this week. The US is no doubt about Ireland's position....

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy is talking about protectionism which is over. Cork could open up a range of transatlantic services to the US tomorrow. It is in no way prohibited from so doing under the deal. People like the Deputy who have a leadership role in their region must look at developing Shannon into the future and should not stick their heads in the sand and cause damage to Shannon.

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: That is the type of policy the Deputy enunciated.

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I would be interested to know if that is Fine Gael policy, which I hope is fundamentally different.

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: The analysis from Deputy Olivia Mitchell is a very interesting and totally contradicts what her colleague said.

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I agree a delicate balance must be struck. I want to ensure Shannon has an opportunity given its new mandate and regime. For the first time in its history, it is doing extremely well with 3 million passengers this year.

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: It is a great compliment to the new board, management, staff and unions in Shannon that it is happening. A delicate balance must be struck. Deputy Olivia Mitchell is right about an immediate open skies policy with America and the major benefits which would accrue. However, we are trying to manage a transition for Shannon. I think with an EU-US open skies deal that one will see quick,...

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: We are one of ten caught in this particular arrangement, which needs to be resolved.

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: This is a new accusation. I have been accused of many things but not this.

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I am not afraid of anything.

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: I am ensuring a future for Shannon Airport. There is no question of this, particularly on the transatlantic routes. The future is to go and get new business. Unfortunately, with all due respect to Deputy James Breen, if one follows the logic of what he and others are saying, they will crucify and kill Shannon Airport, ending its future. They are trying to hold on to some form of protectionism...

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: That is the difference between the Fianna Fáil and the Fine Gael attitude to Government. To me the glass is always half full, to Deputy Pat Breen it is always half empty. The opportunities for Aer Lingus are huge. It has one of the finest chief executives any airline in the world would have been happy to get.

State Airports. (19 Oct 2005)

Martin Cullen: It is an important point. He is charged with expanding Aer Lingus. I am certain the airline will expand into the US. The Deputy was right on his initial assessment. All airlines now realise the profitable routes are long haul.