Results 8,621-8,640 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: With all due respect, it is of no benefit to the workers and management to have Members speculating on speculative figures that may be completely meaningless until we get to the crunch point of getting the company into the market. I must listen to staff, management, other experts and the market. There is much evidence on this issue. The Deputy is experienced and well read in these matters,...

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: There are.

Air Services. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: If Aer Lingus ends up only investing that much, it will have failed in its opportunities. That goes nowhere near what the potential opportunities for the company are. I will correct one item which may be misunderstood. There are 21 airport destinations in North America interested in having Aer Lingus flying in to them. I have not said that Aer Lingus wants to fly to all 21 destinations. There...

Road Safety. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Government's Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 sets a primary target of a 25% reduction in road collision fatalities by the end of 2006 over the average annual number of fatalities in the 1998-2003 period. Achievement of the target will result in no more than 300 deaths per annum by the end of the period of the strategy. This is an ambitious target and one which will require a strategic,...

Road Safety. (24 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I thank gardaí for all the work they do in road safety but the specifics of the questions are clearly a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 206 together. The pension scheme in question, the Irish airlines (general employees) superannuation scheme, is a multi-employer scheme which, in addition to Aer Lingus and DAA staff, also includes a private sector company, SR Technics, formerly FLS Aerospace. I am advised that a full actuarial assessment of this pension fund is carried out every three...

Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: The traffic signs manual 1996 sets out directions given to road authorities by the Minister for Transport pursuant to section 95(16) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 regarding the provision and use of warning and information traffic signs. A copy of the manual is available in the Oireachtas Library, and copies have been made available to city councils and county councils, who also have...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: Section 38(4) of the Road Traffic Act 1968, as amended by the Road Traffic Act 1994, provides that the Medical Bureau of Road Safety may, with the consent of the Minister, arrange for the supply and testing of apparatus for indicating the presence of alcohol in the breath and apparatus for determining the concentration of alcohol in the breath. The prescribed form of the statement produced by...

Written Answers — Railway Stations: Railway Stations (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: The scheduling and timetabling of trains is a day-to-day operational matter for Iarnród Éireann to consider. On the basis of projected demand, Iarnród Éireann has submitted a greater Dublin integrated rail network plan, which proposes the enhancement of all suburban and outer suburban services into Dublin. The proposals are being examined by my Department, at present, in the context of...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: The primary focus of investment in public transport under the national development plan is to expand the capacity of the network to respond to the demand for such services. Fares on public transport have decreased significantly in real terms in recent years, and there is no evidence to suggest that current fare levels are a deterrent to the increased use of public transport. It remains my...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I understand that Iarnród Éireann has not carried out a feasibility study regarding the reopening of the rail line between Mullingar, Moate and Athlone. The strategic rail review, commissioned by my Department and published in 2002, found that the Mullingar to Athlone line did not perform well economically when assessed as a "stand-alone" project but could offer significant benefits in...

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have informed the NRA I do not accept that timeframe and I wish to put that on the record of the House. I cannot understand why it would take that long. This is not new technology that must be invented; it already exists. I know it is not as simple as putting in the new technology but with a direct approach and a little effort in this regard, it would take a lot less time in my view. I have...

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: It was done by a Labour Party Minister.

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have great respect for him.

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I thank Senators for their contributions. I thank Senator Ross for tabling the motion and Senator O'Toole for seconding it. They have given me the opportunity to come before the House to debate the important issue of the upgrade of the M50, including a move to barrier-free tolling. The growth of traffic on the M50 mirrors the growth of Ireland's population, its economy, employment and vehicle...

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I agree. It is very good civil servant-speak.

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: There are also infrastructure deficiencies along other sections of the M50 particularly at key interchanges. It is the combination of these factors that gives rise to the delays experienced by motorists using the M50 as well as the radial routes traversing the M50. Removing the toll plaza would not in itself, and pending the upgrade of the M50, make a major difference at peak hour when the...

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I want to do it in conjunction with the other developments I have referred to in the House. It will make a difference in conjunction with the expansion of the M50. It will be necessary to consider demand management as a feature in traffic control around Dublin in the longer term. This will need to be considered in the context of the completion of many of the developments in Dublin. The M50...

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: It will only be involved in the planning stages. I have no plans in that regard. The more I look at Dublin and access to the centre of Dublin, the more I am convinced that public transport is the core solution.

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Martin Cullen: I agree. We have all been up and down on those issues but we are where we are. The greatest opponents of the Luas are now its greatest supporters. Some in both Houses and those in the media did nothing but criticise it on a daily basis. Once it was opened it was loved and is a marvellous addition, proving beyond doubt that such transport has a significant capacity to make a contribution to...