Results 8,861-8,880 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I said I will.

Road Safety. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and my predecessor jointly determined in late 2003 to consider the engagement of operators from the private sector in the operation of speed cameras. This consideration responds to a provision in the Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 — a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library — that the number of speed checks annually should be...

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 92 together. As regards the future of Aer Lingus, I reject any claims that there has been a delay on the part of Government to progress the matter. It is important that any decisions we reach about the company's future are correct and take account of the nature of the sector, the company business model, the needs of the economy and the views of...

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I thank the Deputy for her questions, but I disagree with the basis of what she has said. The reason for the three executives leaving the company is a matter for themselves. As I have said before, they did——

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I had met them shortly before they decided to leave the company. I was quite surprised, as was everyone else, that they did, particularly on the basis of what I had to say to them. However, that is history and it is over and done with. By the way, I certainly do not accept that the current acting executive chairman of Aer Lingus is a lame duck. I want to emphasise my——

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I want my thanks to the current acting chairman, who is doing a tremendous job, to be recorded. He has certainly garnered the respect of all involved in Dublin Airport for his efforts on this matter.

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: That has not been decided.

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: That has not been decided. There is a long way from someone who is in a position of acting chairman——

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: No, I am not arguing with the Deputy.

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy is asking me straight questions based on her assertions in the three points she has made. I disagree with her; that is all. My role here is to answer questions. I do not accept for a minute that the current acting chairman is a lame duck. That is a nonsensical statement.

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: He is doing a tremendous job——

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have met him on numerous occasions. I know from my engagement with many different stakeholders involved in Aer Lingus, that they are equally confident of his ability and grateful to have someone of his stature, knowledge and standing-——

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: ——-driving this agenda forward. I said I would bring the matter to Government before Christmas. I did and told the Deputy and others afterwards that because of the Sustaining Progress arrangements, I would immediately engage with the stakeholders involved in the national wage agreement and with the ICTU in particular. I have done that. There has been considerable engagement, both at my...

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy has said, the numbers are growing massively. That is a mark of the economy's success in terms of trade and tourism. I have not considered the issue of Baldonnel at this stage. My focus has exclusively been on expanding capacity at Dublin Airport by providing a second terminal. I believe, as does the Government, that it is vital for future economic development. Whatever happens...

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I have not considered it at this stage. I am focused entirely on the issue of providing the second terminal. I hope to be in a position to go to Government shortly to sign off on that issue.

State Airports. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy raises an important question. Clearly, it is an important issue to be considered in the context of the infrastructure at Dublin Airport and how an airport functions. From the point of view of the passengers and the 90 airlines using the airport, we want the most competitive and cost-efficient terminals, including the existing one. That forms part of the consideration on how we...

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Question Nos. 91 and 93 together. The programme for Government contains a specific commitment to develop a metro for Dublin with a link to Dublin Airport. The Railway Procurement Agency has submitted to my Department a detailed business case for a metro from the city centre to Dublin Airport while Iarnród Éireann submitted proposals last July for an integrated rail network...

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: I agree with the Deputy. There is no doubt that north Dublin is in serious need of a transport solution. I dislike the way it is often presented as an airport solution, because that is not the full capacity of what we should be delivering. There is the issue of the population base and the location of the metro, as well as the opening of further land for housing development. We need a...

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: If Deputy Ryan was in charge, they would be sitting there for the rest of his life. I want to conclude this. Since the budget speech, we have been involved in putting these solutions on the table. I also want to have real costings.

Rail Network. (15 Feb 2005)

Martin Cullen: That is what I am saying. They are on the table.