Results 8,021-8,040 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: No.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy is correct. I am enunciating two different bodies, one of which relates to the delivery of services. What I said this afternoon relates to the issuing of licences and to the issuing of the subventions whether they be to the private or public sector, while seeking value for money. All that relates to the technical side. The Deputy will probably agree there is a large range of bodies...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I do not know what the Deputy has in mind but I know what I have in mind.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy is turning the question around. I have been more open than anyone else in this House with regard to parliamentary questions. I have given the Deputy fresh information every time.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy does not like it when she sees us taking action. We will have the licensing regime in place as quickly as possibly, certainly before the next general election.

Rail Services. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: In accordance with Directive 2004/51/EC the market for international rail freight services will be opened from 1 January 2006. This will enable any railway undertaking established in the EU, whether publicly or privately owned, to provide international freight services on the existing Irish rail network. From 1 January 2007, the domestic freight market will be opened. Under the proposed...

Rail Services. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: As Deputy Mitchell knows, I agree with her on this issue, and I find it deeply frustrating. We made a large investment in the rail infrastructure, and there is no question of decommissioning it. Perhaps Deputy Mitchell is referring to some of the rolling stock issues. I have engaged on this issue and many Deputies, primarily Deputy Mitchell, have contacted me on this issue. I have tried to...

Rail Services. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I agree with the Deputy. I have had discussions with the company and I will continue to impress upon it the points the Deputy makes. In fairness to all the CIE companies, whether it is Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann or Iarnród Éireann, they have all become much more efficient and have improved their productivity. Many of them have done a great job in transforming themselves in recent years. We...

Rail Services. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I take the point. The Deputy has made the point publicly, and made it well. I would be on the same track — no pun intended — as would most people. I hope we can come to a decent outcome on this issue.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I do not accept that there has been any delay in publishing the plan. An outline of the draft transport investment framework is currently under active consideration by the Cabinet committee on infrastructure, housing and PPPs. When the committee has concluded its consideration I will bring my proposals to Government as quickly as possible. The transport investment framework will build on the...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I would make two points in response to the Deputy. First, there is a five year plan and budgeting framework in place and all of that becomes part of the overall ten year investment. There is no stoppage on companies. I note in a positive way that the NRA is continuing to roll out its programme. Bus Éireann is continuing to fulfil its orders and enhance its rolling stock. Iarnród Éireann is...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have a fairly clear view at this stage of the framework but the question the Deputy will pose to me is whether I have applied due diligence to the costs. The figures involved in terms of the financing are very significant, as the Deputy can appreciate. In fairness, the Minister for Finance wants to be sure that the moneys we put in to the budget line for the next ten years will not be out...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I am not in absolute control of this in the sense that I am waiting for people to get back to me on some technical and financial aspects. As soon as that happens I will go back to the Government as quickly as possible. I accept it is much better from the Government's point of view and that of the different companies involved in public transport that they have clarity on the issue as quickly...

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I do not agree with the Deputy's opening statement. Next week, the opening of the final stage of the M50 will make a huge contribution to the completion of the network.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: Having a motorway connecting the M11 and the M1 is a huge step forward.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: Anybody I have met who travels regularly from Cork to Dublin — this is not political — told me the transformation of that road is astonishing. That includes those who used to have to fly because of the traffic.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I am not blind to the problems on the M50.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I accept there are problems on the M50. I have made clear that my view of the resolution of the problems in Dublin, including, in large measure, those on the M50, will be the development of a public transport network to create an alternative mode of transport.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: I am some months in this office. I have told the Deputy I will make decisions. I have done so on aviation; I intend to do so on this issue as quickly as possible.

Public Transport. (22 Jun 2005)

Martin Cullen: As quickly as I can.