Results 7,901-7,920 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Air Navigation and Transport (Indemnities) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the House for agreeing to deal with this important emergency legislation at such short notice. The Seanad was similarly supportive. Following the appalling terrorist attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001, insurers withdrew cover for third party war and terrorism risks at short notice and it was necessary for Governments to...

Air Navigation and Transport (Indemnities) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: We received word from Brussels on 5 June. That is when the matter became clear. I referred to that in my speech so as to provide a timeline.

Written Answers — Driving Licences: Driving Licences (23 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: Irish driving licence regulations are required to operate within the framework of a harmonised EU system. The criteria essential for recognition of licences from other countries are testing and licensing regimes which meet the requirements of the EU directive and reciprocal recognition of Irish licences. Ireland does not have a bilateral agreement with the United States of America for the...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (23 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: Section 30 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 provides that it is an offence to supply a mechanically propelled vehicle generally to a person who is under 17 years of age. The only exception to that applies to the supply of mechanically propelled vehicles in respect of which a person who is 16 years of age may hold a driving licence. In such circumstances the prohibition applies in respect of...

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (23 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: Where a person is convicted by a court of the commission of the offence of parking illegally in a disabled person's parking bay, he or she is liable to a fine not exceeding €800 for a first offence. The maximum fine for a second or subsequent offence is €1,500 and in the case of a third or subsequent offence committed within a 12 month period €1,500 and-or a prison sentence of up to...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (23 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: Responsibility for the development of specific proposals for the expansion of Luas services lies with the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA. I understand from the RPA that it has received preliminary proposals from the private sector for the extension of the Luas red line from the existing Belgard stop through to Citywest. I also understand that the RPA is in discussions with South Dublin...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (23 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: Contracts for the provision of regional air services on PSO routes were recently awarded following an EU procurement process. Aer Arann has been awarded the contracts for the routes linking Dublin with the regional airports in Donegal, Sligo, Galway and Kerry. Loganair has been awarded the contract for air services on the Knock and Derry routes. The total maximum contracted subvention for the...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (23 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: Section 10 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 provides that a county or city manager may make a road works speed limit order for the application of a speed limit on any road or part of a road, including a motorway, where road works are being carried out. A road works speed limit order can be applied for any period of not more than 12 months and the minimum speed limit that may be put in place by...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (23 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: My Department is currently reviewing the legislation changes necessary to facilitate the introduction of open road tolling. I anticipate, subject to the other priorities on the legislative programme, that the draft legislation will be introduced in autumn of this year.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (23 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table. It is my intention that all these directives will be incorporated into Irish law as soon as possible. Title Deadline for Transposition Directive 2002/51/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 July 2002 on the reduction of the level of pollutant emissions from two- and three-wheel motor vehicles and...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: No costs in respect of the two Nice treaty referenda have been incurred by my Department.

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (23 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: It has always been envisaged that there would be an operational deficit in the early period of Luas operations pending a full ramp-up of the system and its customer base. Earlier estimates of the amount of the operating deficit also had to be revised to take account of higher than expected costs for maintenance of trams, infrastructure and ticket machines and of insurance costs more than...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Commissioner for Taxi Regulation is a fully independent regulator and the regulation of customer service and standards in the taxi industry is a matter for which he is responsible. I do not have any function in this regard. The Commission for Taxi Regulation was established as an independent body under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. The principal function of the commission is the...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 57 together. The chairman of the working group on the western rail corridor, Mr. Pat McCann, presented his report to me last month. I have asked my officials to urgently examine Mr. McCann's report to ensure that it is fully appraised in advance of the finalisation of the multi-annual capital investment framework for transport currently being prepared...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 102 together. The National Roads Authority, NRA, has published for use in connection with the national road network, specifications for road works and a design manual for roads and bridges and regularly monitors and updates these documents as required. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, DOEHLG, has published similar...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 54 and 223 together. My Department and the Department of Finance have reached agreement on a package of measures which will make substantial inroads into the backlog of applicants awaiting a driving test. The package of measures involves increased productivity by way of a bonus scheme for driver testers, the outsourcing of a block of tests to an external...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 77 together. Contracts for the operation of PSO air services for the next three-year term, commencing 22 July 2005, were recently announced. The successful proposals were selected following the completion of an open procurement process, which was conducted in full compliance with the relevant EU rules and regulations governing the award of PSO air...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Commissioner for Taxi Regulation is an independent regulator and, in accordance with the provisions of section 51 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, he is required to set up a procedure to consider complaints from members of the public and users and intending users of taxis, hackneys and limousines. This procedure will cover complaints in respect of the condition and cleanliness, the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 85 and 107 together. I am aware that, in the context of the upgrade of the M50 and my policy objective to move to open road tolling, the National Roads Authority, NRA, is in negotiation with NTR on a range of issues affecting the West Link toll agreement. Any matters arising from the NRA's negotiations with NTR will be a matter in the first instance for...

Written Answers — Cycle Facilities: Cycle Facilities (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: The statutory basis for the use of cycle tracks is set out in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 and 1998. A design manual for cycle facilities entitled Provision of Cycle Facilities — National Manual for Urban Areas was published in March 1998 by the Dublin Transportation Office, DTO. The manual comprises a comprehensive set of guidelines for the design and provision...