Results 8,601-8,620 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: On 16 March 2005, the European Commission decided to send infringement letters to 20 EU member states, including Ireland, that have bilateral air transport agreements with the USA. Ireland received that letter on 21 March 2005. In the letter, the Commission expressed the view that, due to certain aspects of the EU bilateral aviation agreement with the USA, Ireland has failed to fulfil its...

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Commission is clearly preparing an open skies policy. It does not like the existing agreements in 20 different countries, so we are not alone on this. It is in preparation for the EU-US summit next month on open skies. The EU is entitled to take that view. I am taking legal advice on the implications of the letter. I will not put Ireland, particularly Shannon, in a weakened position by...

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I do not want to be put in the position in which the Deputy is trying to put me. I am in a negotiating position at the moment. I am fixed on what we are trying to do. I respect the EU, but I am also a Minister in the Irish Government. I want to make sure Shannon and Aer Lingus get every opportunity to develop.

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have no idea where that is coming from. I am in a negotiating position at the moment. Deputies should expect that I do not show my cards in the House. I would not expect them to do it if they were in my position. I want to make sure that we get the best possible deal. There are great opportunities for Shannon and I will ensure that it gets the benefit of those opportunities.

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: People I met in Cork believe there is a possibility of direct flights from Cork to the US. That is the point of the independence granted to Cork and Shannon airports. For a long time, they did not want to be restricted by Dublin. There are great opportunities in many different directions, one of which is the transatlantic route. Cork will surely benefit from that.

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I cannot comment on the EU agreement, because I am not party to those talks. Indications make it clear that both parties want to get an agreement in place. I would like to see a good outcome from the Irish perspective within a month or so.

Driving Tests. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: The technical checks, which have formed part of the driving test with effect from 14 February 2005, were introduced to meet our obligations under EU Directive 2000/56/EC on driver licensing. The technical checks involve candidates being asked to explain how he or she might carry out three out of a number of checks on the vehicle. If, for example, a person is asked to show how oil levels...

Driving Tests. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: Yes.

Driving Tests. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I am concerned to ensure that the driving test backlog is cleared. Where jobs might be at stake, especially for young people, it is important for them to be able to take their driving tests as quickly and efficiently as possible. The additional checks are good for safety and are helpful in engendering an understanding of vehicles but they will not necessarily slow down the testing process....

Rail Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I understand from Iarnród Éireann that 120 new intercity railcars, ordered at the end of 2004, will begin entering service in 2007. The railcars will operate on the Dublin-Westport-Ballina, Dublin-Galway, Dublin-Tralee, Dublin-Waterford and Dublin-Limerick-Ennis routes. Their introduction into service will allow Iarnród Éireann to provide hourly services on the Dublin-Limerick route with...

Rail Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: The current order is the largest ever placed. I do not have any plans before me for further orders this year. The major event this year will be getting the 67 new carriages into service on the Dublin-Cork route. That is Iarnród Éireann's priority, along with getting the other order on stream. When this order has been completed in 2007-08, the rail fleet in Ireland will be the most modern in...

Rail Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: Many of them are very old. I do not have the specific technical details to hand. I agree with the Deputy, however, that it is unacceptable for passengers to have to stand while travelling on a modern public transport system. The purpose of introducing the new carriages is to remove that problem. I do not have statistics for the capacity per coach but the new stock will represent a major...

Rail Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: We have just completed a €100 million upgrade of Connolly Station but the Deputy is correct in stating that a number of stations throughout the country are in need of refurbishment. Planning is ongoing within Iarnród Éireann to upgrade such stations. It is only right because people should have a good experience in using public transport — not just the vehicles but also the facilities...

Rail Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I brought the broad outline of the plan to the Cabinet sub-committee where it was discussed. I have not gone back to Cabinet with it but I plan to do so soon.

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 29 and 125 together. I refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 2 today. Last Tuesday, I briefed my Cabinet colleagues on a number of key aviation issues, including the future of Aer Lingus. In the interests of the airline, I am anxious to move forward on this issue as a matter of urgency. Aer Lingus must be provided with the flexibility to grow and...

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I put on record the answer to a number of the Deputy's questions when answering Deputy Shortall. I accept that Aer Lingus has made a significant contribution to Ireland, nationally and internationally. As the Taoiseach, the Government and I have stated on many occasions, the unions, the board, the former chief executive and others have achieved the turnaround of that airline. It was the...

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: It is an operational matter on which I have no view. I trust those charged with that responsibility will make the best decision in the interests of the airline and passengers in terms of volume, scope and potential growth. With regard to the final question, I am not presenting Aer Lingus as some kind of mega-global player trying to compete all over the world. I have identified specific...

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy might accept that I have gone a long way to putting as much of the information on the record as I can.

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: What I cannot do is undermine the opportunities for Aer Lingus by airing them all over the place.

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: There are serious commercial opportunities and financial mechanisms sensitive to Aer Lingus, including the value of the company. We all accept that Aer Lingus should maximise these issues.