Results 8,541-8,560 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 57 and 118 together. Passenger traffic through Dublin Airport is forecast to grow from last year's level of over 17 million passengers to 30 million by around 2018. New infrastructure capacity and facilities, both airside and landside, will be needed to cater for this growth including further terminal capacity. The issue at this point is how best to ensure...

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

Martin Cullen: New rights for passengers under Regulation 261/2004 came into force automatically in every EU member state on 17 February 2005. Passengers are now automatically entitled to compensation from an airline, depending on the circumstances, in the event of a long delay, cancellation at short notice or if denied boarding. Passengers should apply directly to the airline concerned for compensation. No...

Written Answers — Railway Stations: Railway Stations (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my response on 15 February last. The position is unchanged. The location of stations on the rail network is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. The company informs me that it has examined the case for re-opening Dunleer station on a number of occasions. A review of the Dublin suburban rail strategy, conducted on behalf of Iarnród Éireann, concluded that the station would...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I understand from the Railway Procurement Agency that approximately 642,000 passengers were carried on the red line and 753,000 on the green line in February 2005. The total number of passengers carried on the DART in the same period was some 1.9 million. However, it should be noted that DART upgrade works are being undertaken with consequent shutdowns at weekends. DART passenger numbers...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: The provision of discounted fares for children and students is a day-to-day matter for the bus operators concerned. Dublin Bus has informed me that it offers a facility to second level students in the 16 to 18 age category to avail of a special ticket which provides two journeys at a discount rate.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 123 and 129 together. An NRA analysis of factors contributing to fatal and injury accidents in 2002 indicates that the behaviour of drivers — 86% — and pedestrians — 9.7% — is the key contributory factor. Road factors were identified as contributing to only 2.5% of fatal and serious injury in accidents. I understand from the NRA that since 1994 it...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: Statistics relating to road accidents are published by the National Roads Authority in its annual road accident facts reports on the basis of information provided by the Garda. The most recent report, Road Collision Facts, relates to 2003 and is available on the NRA website. Reports relating to previous years are available in the Oireachtas Library. Provisional figures for 2005 — to 21...

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 130 together. I have not given any instruction to the local authorities, Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann or Bus Átha Cliath, requiring the provision of off-street car parking to facilitate motorists who wish to use public transport. However, I am looking at a number of initiatives to try to encourage public transport use, including the provision of...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: Management of traffic accessing Dublin Port is a matter for Dublin City Council. In parallel with the opening to traffic of the Dublin Port tunnel, Dublin City Council will introduce a heavy goods vehicle traffic management strategy to ensure that maximum traffic benefits are secured from the Dublin Port tunnel. This strategy has three objectives, first, to ensure the optimal use by HGVs of...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together. I refer the Deputy to a similar question put to me in this House yesterday to which I replied as follows: The scheduling and timetabling of trains is a day-to-day operational matter for Iarnród Éireann to consider. On the basis of projected demand into the future, Iarnród Éireann has submitted a greater Dublin integrated rail network...

Rail Network. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: The working group on the western rail corridor appointed by my predecessor as Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, has met on a regular basis since last June. I understand the working group and its sub-groups are nearing the end of their deliberations. Accordingly, I expect to receive the report of the chairman within the next two months. A decision on the development of the western rail...

Rail Network. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I agree with the Deputy regarding the importance of this project and was sitting beside the Taoiseach when he answered questions about it in the Chamber. I have met the chairman of the working group on several occasions and have asked that the report be completed as quickly as possible. This is an important project containing infrastructural elements that can deliver good value for those in...

Rail Network. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: High value jobs are available in the BMW region and the already good infrastructure in the area is being substantially improved. The Deputy may be aware that the National Roads Authority's recently released plans for this year indicate a significant upscaling of investment in the BMW region, with eight or nine of its projects located in that area. Having been responsible for the formulation...

Rail Network. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Government and I are very positively disposed towards the western rail corridor. However, I will await the report of the expert working group before taking action in this regard. We will all have a clearer picture once the report is issued.

Rail Network. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I will not speculate before receiving the report. I have asked the chairman of the working group to report to me as soon as possible so that a decision can be made.

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: Last Tuesday, I briefed my colleagues at Cabinet on a number of key aviation issues, including the future of Aer Lingus. I am anxious in the interests of the airline to move forward on this issue as a matter of urgency. As the House is aware, Aer Lingus must be provided with the flexibility to grow and compete on a level playing field. The current situation is not sustainable and is...

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have been involved in a detailed analysis of the prospects. The current chairman has written to me recently to urge me to emphasise the enormous opportunities in the immediate future for Aer Lingus, but decisions need to be made immediately.

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I will come to that in a moment. I will give the Deputy an example. It was clear even three or four months ago that the buying opportunities for airlines vis-À-vis the manufacturers was very opportune. I have been anxious to place Aer Lingus within that window of opportunity to get the best possible deal from manufacturers in terms of ordering aircraft. Recently, for example, China made...

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: He is. He has written to me since——

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I do not want to disagree with the Deputy, but he has been quite clear on this since he was appointed fully as chairman of the board of Aer Lingus, as distinct from being acting chairman. As the Deputy knows, he is acting in the capacity of executive chairman at present. The prospects for growth essentially are tremendous and not just on the transatlantic route, although that is where the...