Results 8,841-8,860 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I understand that the Luas system is carrying 300,000 passengers per week. The average Monday to Friday carryings are 50,000 passengers per day. During last December, there were days where passenger numbers exceeded 70,000. Passenger figures on the Luas system are expected to rise during 2005. The Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, and the Dublin Transportation Office are carrying out a...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: The power to determine the locations for the provision of bus stops and termini is vested in the Garda Commissioner under section 85 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. Under that section, the commissioner may issue a direction to a bus operator identifying the specific location of bus stops and termini in respect of any bus route and in that context may determine that certain stops may only be...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 361 together. The scheduling and timetabling of trains is a day-to-day operational matter for Iarnród Éireann to consider. I understand from the company that some of the 36 new diesel railcars due to come into service at the end of this year will be allocated to the Kildare route to extend all trains to eight-car length. This will improve the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 94.

Written Answers — Dublin Transportation Office: Dublin Transportation Office (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I am considering the nominations for the advisory committee of the Dublin Transportation Office, DTO, and hope to finalise and approve the nominations in the near future. It is not my intention to abolish the DTO or remove local representation.

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy is bang on the money in every sense. That is one of the issues with which I am grappling. I have been asking similar questions in recent weeks to try to establish what exactly should be included. Where does one get best value? I do not just mean best value in terms of money, but also in terms of modal shift and getting people out of cars. The interconnector will encourage a further...

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: There is no question that there is a glaring deficit in north Dublin and it must be tackled immediately. There is no prevarication on my part on that issue. However, I am in a stronger position than having to concentrate only on that matter. The ten year envelope changes dramatically what I can recommend to the Government and what we can decide to do. We are focusing on Dublin in this debate...

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: That is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. Iarnród Éireann is willing to come forward with plans if there is a market and a need for——

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: ——the expansion of that line. I was open in giving my views to the Deputy earlier. I will raise the matter and I have no problem with that. The Deputy made a reasonable point earlier and I will come back to him about it on my next Question Time. I will try to expand on that point and see what the precise position is. I do not accept the Deputy's suggestion that the expansion and widening...

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: As regards the three issues, Deputy Eamon Ryan and I clearly have a different view of the world. We will just have to leave it at that. The only one throwing his hands in the air in the House today, that I can see, is Deputy Eamon Ryan. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked me about connecting the two Luas lines. I believe both lines should be connected. I have stated that publicly and I have asked...

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: It amazes me that when one makes a reasonably sound statement, somebody hijacks it and talks about Trinity College almost being knocked down to accommodate the Luas line. It was never a suggestion of mine and it has no basis in fact.

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: It is nonsense. I do not know where it came from but I can guess. I presume it was stirred up by those not far behind Deputy Olivia Mitchell.

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: Deputy Eamon Ryan would know a lot about that all right.

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I would and I can stand over everything I have ever done. Deputy Shortall's comment with regard to connecting the Luas lines is true up to a point but not entirely so. It depends on how one routes the lines, as well as the stops along the way. The Deputy's point is fair but it does not necessarily mean that one excludes the other; it depends on how one does them. That matter is currently on...

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I disagree with the Deputy about buses. In recent years, the State has provided major investment in CIE for replacement purposes. I do not have the figures in front of me but we have provided approximately €400 million or €500 million.

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I know the point the Deputy is making and I will come to it but I just wanted to place on the record what we have done. As regards the Deputy's point with regard to CIE, of course I want to continue to invest in CIE and I will do so.

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: Hang on. Of course, I want to provide new buses for CIE and I will do so——

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: ——but I also want to examine how Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann's operations are run in order to get the maximum value for them as efficient, well-run companies. This concerns how they organise all their current assets. My view is that they can do much more with what they have. The second point is that private investment in bus operations around the country has been phenomenal in recent...

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: Yes, exactly, but I want to be fair and give them the opportunity to make their points. I agree with both Deputies in this regard — I want to see greater capacity for buses operating in Dublin because that could make a further substantial contribution to public transport.

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I will deliver on my commitment.