Results 7,981-8,000 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Rural Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: This is one of the most successful schemes ever introduced here. I have taken the time to assess it, having viewed its operation, met those who use it and travelled on the buses. Shortly after I came into office, many Deputies persuaded me of the value of the scheme. I was strongly persuaded it should be made permanent and provided with increased funding, given its huge impact, as the Deputy...

Rural Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: That is a good question. That is why I have asked the groups what they want. The one thing that is certain is that this scheme will not end. This was tried as a pilot scheme and it will now be a permanent scheme for the entire country. It will not be limited to those which have it currently. I want to look at how we can expand it around the country and make the most of it.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: My Department was unable at short notice to collate the information requested for the years prior to 2004. This information will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible. The numbers of passenger road licences issued to private operators for new routes and the numbers of new routes by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann noted each year from 2004 to date are as follows: 138 passenger...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: If it is any consolation to the Deputy I first spoke on this Bill in the House over 20 years ago. The Road Transport Act 1932 is totally inadequate. It no longer provides an adequate basis for regulating the bus market.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: We need a completely different framework to deal with it. I understand the Deputy's frustration. Now I have the opportunity to do something about it and I intend to do so. I wish to clarify one point relating to the number of buses and the capacity of Dublin Bus. The capacity of Dublin Bus has expanded enormously.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: The type of buses has changed, resulting in a capacity expansion of 25%. The number of buses may not have changed but the type of vehicle and the capacity has changed. There has been a huge expansion in the capacity of Dublin Bus. I am not making the point for political reasons but because it is misunderstood. The Deputy is correct in stating that a conclusion must be reached. I do not think...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: With the help of Deputies Olivia Mitchell and Shortall I certainly hope so.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I will do everything I can. The Bill is being readied. I am working on the Bill, despite everything else.

Road Safety. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: An extensive range of requirements must be satisfied to use a bus in a public place. In this regard all buses are required to comply with statutory requirements for the construction, equipment and use of vehicles as set out in the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002, the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 to 2004,...

Road Safety. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have no knowledge, and no information has been presented to me, that Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann or any other State companies are breaking the law on a daily basis, as the Deputy has suggested. If that were the case, it would be a matter of the most serious gravity. If the Deputy has evidence of this wanton law-breaking, as he has suggested, by State companies and those who work for them, he...

Road Safety. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I reiterate that I would be deeply concerned if such practices occurred in any State companies, as I am sure all of us would be. I would like to see evidence of such practices, however. That needs to be established. The day-to-day operation of the companies is a matter for the companies themselves. As Minister, I do not have a role in interfering with the daily operation of any of the...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: My Department is preparing a ten-year transport investment framework. The draft framework takes account of the work done on investment priorities under the current capital envelope to the end of 2009. It also takes account of the various strategic studies completed by the Department and its agencies, including A Platform for Change which recommended, among other things, the development of a...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I will not get into the detail of individual projects in the House in advance of publication of the plan, despite the many of my colleagues who have been pressing me on various projects.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: The RPA is charged with the roll-out of the Luas. It has been talking to all of the local authorities and has assessed the cost effectiveness of many different options throughout Dublin. Some, obviously, appear far more cost effective than others. There is a great willingness on the part of the private sector to invest substantially in Luas lines in different areas, which is extremely helpful...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: Many of the Deputy's constituents, from all parties, have been on to me about how valuable is this project. The RPA is carrying out its assessments on a myriad of projects on the Luas lines in Dublin, some of which we have asked specifically about. It must cost some of them and ensure they stand up and are deliverable. In advance of the final decisions being taken in Dublin, I will not...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: That proposal would not be adequate now to meet the needs of what is required for Dublin. I am in the process of substantially enhancing some of the projects outlined on that map. The two Luas lines are up and running with substantial passenger numbers. The public sees Luas as very successful and wants more. We are trying to finalise the marrying of Luas, possibly metro, DART, intercity...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I congratulate the Deputy, as she certainly knows what she is talking about. That is one of the key issues. It regards segregation and non-segregation and how the two can work together or whether they can work cohesively. I am happy that the evidence presented to me is that they can, and we have good examples of that from Germany. The Deputy is right. We can get greater capacity on metro type...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I am trying to indicate by my answer that I am engaged on this. I have learnt much in recent few weeks. I have listened to Deputies Olivia Mitchell and Shortall, who lead on these issues more than others, but their questions are not easily answered. The Deputy knows that as well as I. The transport budget for the country is not limitless. No matter what substantial projects we carry out over...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: It was an honest assessment. I am damned if I do and damned if I do not.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I doubt that day will ever come. However, I look forward to seeing how the different approaches between the three parties will be resolved in the area of public transport. To answer the question, I have asked all of the bodies that have proposed projects to do assessments for me. On a number of routes there were proposals for DART, metro and other conflicting modes of transport. Obviously, we...