Results 8,401-8,420 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: I thank the Senators from the Progressive Democrats for proposing this motion this evening and all the Members who have contributed thus far. It affords the House the opportunity to debate an issue that is important both from a national policy perspective and for the personal safety of every citizen in this State. It is a fact that road safety policy reaches into every home, and the results...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: I accept that private companies can make valuable contributions in this area. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and I hope to bring proposals to the Cabinet soon based on the report about the private use of cameras. I agree strongly with Senators and Deputies who have said there should be no connection between the private sector operation of speed cameras and remuneration.

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: Such a connection should not exist. I am implacably opposed to the development of a culture of remuneration in this area that would be akin to the culture associated with the work of clampers, as they are known. While the work of clampers is socially valuable, it is known that they often step up their activities to make an increased profit. As speed cameras are being introduced as a road...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: Yes. They can act immediately. Members of local authorities can have immediate discussions with the Garda or the NRA, where appropriate and necessary. Senator Dardis mentioned that they can ask for speed limits on primary routes to be changed. It is a matter for them to operate on that basis immediately. The issues of driving instruction, testing and licensing are of particular importance in...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: It has not completed Second Stage. I think it will be welcomed by all Oireachtas Members.

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: Yes, but we have substantial proposals to deal with that.

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: There was a particular reason for the delay. We had access to a driving test down to five or six weeks recently. That was a very good average. There was an understanding that in certain situations provisions were going to change. This caused an avalanche of applications. There are multiple applications in the system. I am not defending it. More instructors are needed. We need to resolve the...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have given a commitment here from 2:30 p.m. today. Very few Ministers would do that.

Seanad: International Interests in Mobile Equipment (Cape Town Convention) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (27 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: The purpose of the Cape Town Convention is simple; it is to make it easier to finance the purchase of aircraft. Senators will be aware from reading the Bill that the Schedules contain the text of the convention and protocol relating to aircraft objects. For convenience, when I mention the convention, I will be referring to the two documents together. As everyone in this House will be aware,...

Order of Business. (27 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: I did not say that either.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (26 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: Since 11 June 2001 all applications for a first provisional licence must be accompanied by a driver theory test certificate. The specification which the contractor operating the driver theory test is obliged to meet provides for the delivery of a user-friendly computerised theory testing system and requires that provision is made for candidates with special needs. This includes the provision...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (26 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 307, 308 and 318 together. The carriage of beet by rail is a commercial matter between Iarnród Éireann and Greencore. Iarnród Éireann has advised me that an agreement has been successfully concluded with Greencore for the carriage of beet by rail to Mallow, in the upcoming season, from Wellington Bridge and Milford. I have been advised that Iarnród...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (26 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: My Department is in consultation with the Office of Public Works with a view to providing off-road testing facilities for the testing of drivers of heavy goods vehicles. Such facilities have been provided in Sligo, Limerick and Dundalk. It is the intention, subject to the availability of suitable sites and the efficient and economic delivery of the service, to provide similar facilities at...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (26 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: Atkins Consultants were commissioned to review the feasibility, safety implications and cost of raising the height of the Dublin Port tunnel. The options for increasing the height of the tunnel were also considered by the National Roads Authority and by Dublin City Council. In addition, the contractor, NMI Consortium, priced the work that would be involved in increasing the height of the...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (26 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: It is proposed to provide a quality bus corridor on sections of the hard shoulder of the Naas Road. This is one of the pilot projects for bus lanes on hard shoulders. The tenders for phases two and three were advertised on Monday, 18 April 2005. Phase two is the section between the N7 Kingswood interchange and the Red Cow and phase three is the section between Robinhood Road and Long Mile...

Written Answers — Great Southern Hotels Group: Great Southern Hotels Group (26 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: Under the State Airports Act 2004, the Dublin Airport Authority has a statutory mandate to do everything necessary to give effect to the restructuring of the State airports. All three authorities for the State airports are preparing comprehensive business plans and in furtherance of Dublin Airport Authority's new role, the position of its principal subsidiaries, including the Great Southern...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (26 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: The officer has been on the clerical officer transfer list for Ballina since 18 October 1998. While there is a vacancy to be filled in Ballina, she is not in the first 20 staff on the transfer list and it is extremely unlikely that she will be considered for this position.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (26 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: The length of the national road network, as of end 2004, is 5,421.67 kms which is approximately 5.6% of the total road network.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (26 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: The quality bus network project office has prepared a scheme for Pearse Street. Works are planned for this year on this scheme with completion expected in 2006. I am aware also that Dublin City Council has examined proposals for contra-flow bus lanes on the quays. The proposal was considered unfeasible for several reasons, including the contra-flow would introduce complication and...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (26 Apr 2005)

Martin Cullen: The power to determine the location of bus stops is vested in the Garda Commissioner under section 85 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. I understand the Garda consults both the local authority and bus service provider before issuing a direction under section 85. I have no function in this matter.