Results 8,241-8,260 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: The National Roads Authority, NRA, completed a preliminary design and financial study of an eastern bypass of Dublin city in 2002 and a copy was submitted to my Department. The further development of the proposals will be considered in the context of the multi-annual transport investment plan currently being prepared by my Department. Given the likely scale and cost of any proposals —€1.4...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: Over the last two years my Department agreed with Iarnród Éireann the memoranda of understanding, MOU, which, as well as accounting for public expenditure, provide a reporting structure for performance indicators from the company. They contain targets on service quantity and quality as well as detailed financial reporting requirements. The contents of the memoranda and the targets therein...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: Proposals have been made recently by the Shannon Airport Authority, Shannon Development Authority and the Mid-West Regional Authority regarding rollout of key infrastructural projects in the Shannon airport catchment area. I am aware also that it is the view of the board of the Shannon Airport Authority that there needs to be a complementary programme of this nature to underpin an independent...

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: The offence of illegally parking in a disabled persons' parking bay currently comes within the scope of the on-the-spot fines system. The amount of the on-the-spot fine applicable to this offence is €19, which is the level that applies to the majority of parking offences. Where a person does not pay the on-the-spot fine and is subsequently convicted in court of the said offence, he or she...

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have had two meetings with representatives of NTR — on 17 February 2005 and 5 May 2005. Both meetings dealt with the issue of congestion at the Westlink bridge and the options for a speedy transition to barrier free tolling. In the course of both meetings I emphasised the critical importance of moving to barrier free tolling as quickly as possible. Following the 5 May meeting, at which...

Written Answers — Light Rail Projects: Light Rail Projects (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 55 together. Responsibility for the development of specific proposals for the expansion of the Luas network lies with the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA. The RPA is currently advancing plans for extensions of Luas to the docklands and Cherrywood and my Department is awaiting business plans from the RPA in order to assist in its evaluation of both...

Written Answers — Aviation Strategy: Aviation Strategy (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: As a result of the full liberalisation of the European aviation market in the 1990s, there are no longer any Government or EU controls on market access in the Irish aviation market. This influences my overall approach to that market. Liberalisation of the European air transport sector has ensured that fares, routes and frequency of services operated by carriers at all airports on the island...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have been advised by Dublin Bus that the total number of buses in its fleet for each year since 2001 is 1,062 buses. In this period, the company has replaced mini and single deck buses with higher capacity double deck buses, thus increasing the passenger carrying capacity of its fleet by nearly 25%. I understand the company intends to purchase 70 new replacement buses in 2005. These new...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Dublin Port tunnel project was developed by Dublin City Council, and the National Roads Authority, NRA. As a major new addition to the road infrastructure in the Dublin area, the port tunnel will provide a high quality access route for heavy goods vehicles getting to and from Dublin Port and will improve traffic flow in the city for freight distributors and other port-related traffic. The...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: My Department has commenced activity to update the rules of the road booklet. It is the intention to publish a new rules of the road booklet in draft form by mid-year and to invite comments or submissions thereon. The new booklet would then be finalised in the autumn.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the M3 project, are matters for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the local authorities concerned — in this case Meath County Council. In recent months both my officials and myself have informally impressed on the officials and Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: As indicated in the reply to Question No. 49 of 24 March 2005, I understand that the Commission for Taxi Regulation is currently reviewing existing regulations governing safety and service standards in the industry. The outcome of this review will provide the basis for the development of a new national code for the regulation of taxis, wheelchair accessible taxis, hackneys and limousines and...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: Automated toll collection is currently in use on existing toll plazas and provides for one toll lane in each direction dedicated to the automated collection of tolls. A physical barrier is used on the lanes to prevent non-payment of tolls. The only route where a move to full open road on barrier free tolling, that is, no manual collection and barrier free, is being considered is the M50. The...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Road Transport Act 1932 provides the legislative basis for entry to the public transport market by private bus operators. In accordance with this legislation, private bus operators apply to my Department for passenger licences to provide bus services on specific routes within the State. In accordance with long-standing practice, details of applications received in my Department remain...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: The assessment and evaluation of individual national road projects, including value for money, is undertaken by the National Roads Authority, NRA, as an integral part of the planning of projects in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines on the appraisal and management of capital projects and working rules for cost benefit analysis. In addition, the development and implementation of...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: I understand that Dublin Bus intends to purchase 70 new replacement buses, including 20 high capacity tri-axle buses, in 2005. Exchequer funding of €1.2 million is being provided towards the cost of these buses. The new tri-axle buses will provide 20% more passenger carrying capacity than double deck buses. Significant Exchequer investment has been made in Dublin Bus in recent years....

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (12 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 evidence in respect of a range of traffic offences, including speeding offences. The Road Traffic Act 2004 introduced further clarity to the provisions of section 21 in order to affirm the use of radar guns and other apparatus...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including related traffic management arrangements as part of these projects, are matters for the National Roads Authority, NRA, the local authorities concerned and the relevant contractors. I understand from the NRA that the maximum possible maintenance of traffic flow will be an important part of the contract for...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: Under the decentralisation programme, Bus Éireann headquarters posts are to be relocated to Mitchelstown. That position remains unchanged. To date, 86 posts suitable for decentralisation have been identified by the company, however, no employee has indicated a wish to move and this is being examined. Implementation issues, including the identification of accommodation, are being pursued by...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (12 May 2005)

Martin Cullen: The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the Dublin Port tunnel, are matters for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the local authorities concerned — in this case, Dublin City Council. However, I understand from the NRA and Dublin City Council that construction of the port tunnel is expected to be completed in December 2005 and the tunnel...