Results 8,181-8,200 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (24 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: The choice of routes operated, in accordance with the bilateral agreement, is entirely a matter for the airline concerned. Aer Lingus is operating direct flights from Shannon to New York during this summer season. However, delays in the completion of the Aer Lingus winter overhaul programme have resulted in the lack of availability of one of its Airbus A330 aircraft for the period 16 May to...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (24 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: It is an EU directive requirement that persons seeking to obtain a driving licence for the first time or to add a category to an existing licence must firstly have passed both a theoretical driving test and a practical driving test in respect of the relevant licence categories. National regulations provide that, with effect from 11 June 2001, applicants for a first provisional licence must...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (19 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: The current West Link bridge toll concession is, in accordance with the agreement between the NRA and NTR, due to expire in 2020.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (19 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: Section 21 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 provides an appropriate and comprehensive basis for the use of apparatus, including cameras, for the purpose of establishing both evidence in respect of a range of traffic offences, including speeding offences, and for identifying the vehicles involved in the alleged commission of those offences. The parameters established in section 21 for the use of...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (18 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy will be aware, the Cork Airport Authority was incorporated in September last following the passing of the State Airports Act 2004. The authority has been given the responsibility of preparing to assume full responsibility for the management and development of the airport. The authority also has responsibility for carrying out functions delegated to it, on an agreed basis, by the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (18 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: Section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 provides the legislative basis for road authorities to make by-laws for the operation of fee based on-street parking schemes. Under the section, the manner in which parking fees can be disposed of is a matter for the determination of the elected members of the authority.

Leaders' Questions. (18 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: Nonsense.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (17 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 223 together. Driver tester numbers are part of the overall numbers in the Department and are arranged accordingly. They comprise both permanent and contract staff. Vacancies have arisen at different times over the past few years and up to as recently as 30 April 2005. It is proposed to advertise eight contract posts shortly. Each tester would be...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (17 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: The offence of breaching a weight restriction placed at the entrance to a road is not subject to the on-the-spot fine system. A person accused of such an offence must be summonsed to appear in court and on conviction for a first offence is liable to a fine not exceeding €800. The Road Traffic Act 2002 provides for the replacement of the on-the-spot fine system with the new fixed charge...

Written Answers — Departmental Charges: Departmental Charges (17 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: My Department is carrying out a review of the legal basis for its charges and fees. As part of this review my Department is seeking legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General as to whether the legal basis for these charges is adequate in all cases. The need to examine the basis for charges is being brought to the attention of the agencies.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (17 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: My Department is already in the process of evaluating the IT needs of the driver testing service. When this is complete it is proposed to install a new IT system the procurement of which will be subject to a tender process.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (17 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: I will shortly bring proposals to Government about additional functions that I believe should be assigned to the Driver Testing and Standards Authority. These additional functions will give the authority a greater focus in relation to its role in the area of road safety. I will be bringing forward appropriate amendments to the Driver Testing and Standards Authority Bill 2004 on Committee...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (17 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: Driving tests are conducted on Saturdays. My Department is in consultation with staff representatives about a package of measures to reduce the numbers waiting for a driving test and it is envisaged that these measures will include increased productivity by way of additional evening and weekend tests.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (17 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 358 on 8 February 2005. The Government's strategy for road safety 2004-06 identified speed, seat-belt wearing, driving while intoxicated, engineering measures and vulnerable road users as being the key priority areas to be addressed over the coming years in terms of yielding road safety benefits. As regards motorcyclists, over the course of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (17 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 231 together. Under the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998, certain assets that were previously owned by the Minister were transferred with effect from 1 January 1999 into the ownership of Aer Rianta. The company made a payment to the Exchequer of IR£13.9 million, equivalent to €17.65 million, representing the written down value of...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (17 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: The planning for the provision and operation of railway stations is, in the first instance, a day-to-day operational matter for Iarnród Éireann to consider. I am awaiting a revised proposal from the company for the four-tracking of a section of the Kildare route and the development of a number of new stations along the route, including Park West and Adamstown. However, Iarnród Éireann has...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: I welcome the opportunity of this Private Members' motion to address issues relating to the increase in the cost of the national roads programme generally and of specific projects, and to outline the good progress being made in the transformation of our national road network. I am glad to have the opportunity to demonstrate the strength of our record in upgrading the national road network and...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: That is the true picture. These findings are in line with the Fitzpatrick report of August 2002 on the national roads programme and with the April 2004 special report of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The latter's report was based on detailed work by his office over a 13-month period in 2003 and 2004 and traced clearly the reasons for the increase in the estimated cost of the programme...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: Before outlining the measures taken to strengthen cost estimation and control, I will comment on recent coverage of cost overruns on individual projects based on data contained in an appendix to the recent Committee of Public Accounts report. This appendix compared the cost of some projects completed in the years 2000, 200I, and 2002 to pre-construction estimates. I understand the original...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: Adjusting the original estimates to reflect changes in the scale and scope of projects as ultimately constructed would, no doubt, further reduce the gap if not eliminate it entirely. The "Prime Time" programme also compared the outturn cost of a range of projects to initial estimates. In the absence of the detailed "Prime Time" analysis it is difficult to comment in detail but it would seem...