Results 9,001-9,020 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The outline sectoral plan under the Disability Bill 2004, published recently by my Department, is a draft consultation document. The plan outlines my Department's proposals with regard to the ongoing development of accessible public transport services for people with mobility and sensory impairments. My Department will shortly commence an extensive consultation process on the plan and every...

Roads Infrastructure: Motion. (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The current position is that Meath County Council has applied to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for directions as to the carrying out of archaeological works associated with the M3 approved road project. The archaeologists employed by Meath County Council on this project operate to the highest professional standards. The use of test trenching is part of the...

Roads Infrastructure: Motion. (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I lose face many times along the way.

Roads Infrastructure: Motion. (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "commends the Government's commitment and proactive approach in the delivery of the upgraded national roads network; —notes the Government's commitment to the protection of our national heritage and the preservation of archaeological sites and features; —notes the ongoing liaison between the...

Roads Infrastructure: Motion. (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: There is a heritage policy. Archaeology has changed dramatically because it is now planning led. That is not a bad thing, as Deputy Quinn said, because we would not discover these artefacts without the massive investment in infrastructure. That is why they are coming to light. There are archaeologists who would prefer not to see these sites touched, for them to be built over and left in situ...

Roads Infrastructure: Motion. (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The problem for politicians is squaring the circle between the conflicting points of view because someone must decide. Ironically, I am in the House when the Opposition environment spokespeople have tabled a motion that is largely concerned with archaeology, an area which I dealt with for the last two years. Perhaps the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government should be...

Roads Infrastructure: Motion. (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: We have a very good archaeology policy, the best in Europe. Since the start of the NDP in 2000, 46 projects, comprising 327 kilometres of road, have been completed and there are 20 projects of 196 kilometres currently under construction. There are nine projects of 147 kilometres at tender stage and a further 12 projects of 167 kilometres are either through the statutory process or before An...

Roads Infrastructure: Motion. (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I take the total context into account. I am not for a second trying to suggest that the Hill of Tara is not important in a total context. However, I am trying to point out that great care was taken. Some of the points that people accept as facts are not true in terms of the extensiveness of the archaeological effort. Trenches have been dug every 20 kilometres on a 59 km site. On behalf of...

Roads Infrastructure: Motion. (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I am delighted that so many young people are now choosing archaeology as a profession and going to universities and colleges. It is wonderful, but let us understand why this is happening and appreciate that it is the taxpayer who pays for the phenomenal amounts being spent on these routes and to a much greater extent than in many other countries throughout Europe. I do not suggest we lower...

Roads Infrastructure: Motion. (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: ——a balance must be drawn between doing full and excellent mitigation of sites from an archaeological viewpoint and balancing all that with the needs of ordinary men and women who spend four hours a day sitting in their cars trying to go to and from work. That is not a quality of life we want for our people, so we must balance all these issues. A balanced view in the context of the M3 is...

Roads Infrastructure: Motion. (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: There was no obligation previous to that for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to consult with the director of the National Museum of Ireland. It was I who introduced that section.

Roads Infrastructure: Motion. (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: Just for the record——

Roads Infrastructure: Motion. (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: In regard to the section I amended when I brought it before the House, there was no obligation and there was nothing in legislation providing that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government should consult with the director of the National Museum of Ireland. I introduced that as a new policy and a new direction in legislation, which is a belt and braces approach. At least...

Order of Business. (23 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: It will be available on the website.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (16 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: Difficulties in determining appropriate motor taxation rates for certain vehicles had resulted in driving test candidates being turned away and not having tests conducted. Following consultations with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government who are responsible for motor tax policy we were advised that the enforcement of motor tax law is a matter for the Garda...

Written Answers — Taxi Hardship Panel: Taxi Hardship Panel (16 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The taxi hardship payments scheme is closed for applications. A closing date of 30 April 2004 was agreed with the taxi representative groups and advertised nationally on 27 February 2004. Some flexibility around this original closing date was allowed to take into account possible difficulties arising from postal disruptions that arose in April 2004. Subsequently, following discussions with...

Written Answers — Taxi Hardship Panel: Taxi Hardship Panel (16 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: Hardship payments totalling €13,957,000 have been made to 1,190 qualifying applicants under the Taxi Hardship Payments Scheme to 9 November 2004. The cost of administering the taxi hardship payments scheme by Area Development Management Limited to 31 October 2004 was €580,564, including set-up costs. Further projected administration expenditure in the region of €30,000 is anticipated...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (16 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: To date, the Railway Procurement Agency has spent €7.5 million on the metro project. In late 2001 and early 2002, the RPA engaged financial, legal, technical and transport consultants to assist in developing the metro project. A number of tasks have been completed including a full alignment study; detailed alignment design; detailed transport modelling; a cost benefit analysis; detailed...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (16 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: Statistics relating to road accidents, based on information provided by the Garda Síochána, are published by the National Roads Authority in their annual road accident facts reports. The most recent report is in respect of 2002 and that report, along with reports relating to previous years, are available in the Oireachtas library. The road accident facts reports contain details of the...

Seanad: Public Transport in the Greater Dublin Area: Statements. (9 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I had several commitments at the same time and appreciate the forbearance of the House in this matter. I thank Senators for the opportunity to address this House on the progress made in recent years regarding public transport facilities in the greater Dublin area and the proposals in hand for further enhancements and improvements in the coming years. These are exciting and challenging times...