Results 9,121-9,140 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I announced on 21 October 2004 that the operational height of the Dublin Port tunnel would not be changed. My decision was based primarily on safety grounds, but cost and time delays to the opening of the project were also factors. The options for increasing the height of the tunnel were considered by the National Roads Authority, independent consultants, Atkins, and Dublin City Council. In...

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The trucks the Deputy refers to make up somewhere between 0.6% and 1.7% of the total traffic going to Dublin Port, a very small percentage. Dublin City Council is also putting in place a very specific traffic management plan for HGVs, while the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, will soon launch an important consultation report on the height of vehicles in the country.

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: This is not the same one. This is the one which will lead to a decision being made on the issue. The decision on the tunnel has already been taken. Regarding Deputy McGrath's contribution, I do not dispute that there have been difficulties for residents in the area. That is normal when huge projects are involved. There is naturally going to be some disruption and one can only ask for the...

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: If the Deputy intends to heighten concerns, to scare-monger in his constituency——

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: If the Deputy wants to bring forward the benefit of the facts, and to lessen people's concerns and reassure them that all of the systems are in place to deal with their concerns, he should listen to what I am saying.

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I do not accept that.

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy appears to know more than any other Deputy in the House. We all share the same concern for the people we represent. Nobody has a monopoly on concern regarding any particular matter. The Deputy should not present matters in that way.

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I, the Government and other Deputies share the concerns equally. We want these projects dealt with quickly and in the fairest way possible for the residents.

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The Government is committed to reform of public transport. A considerable amount of work on the detailed technical aspects of the restructuring of CIE has taken place in my Department and this work is ongoing. I am reviewing this work as well as consulting with stakeholders. When I have completed the review and my consultations with key stakeholders I will consider how to proceed generally...

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy raised many issues beyond the scope of the question. I have had very good discussions with the various trade unions and the management involved in the various aspects of transport in Dublin. All accept the terms of opening up the market in the future. There is only one matter on the agenda. What decisions can we make in this House which will improve the delivery of public transport...

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: Is the Deputy asking if the legislation is the barrier?

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: The legislation is necessary and I am not stating that we do not need it. However, I do not want to present the matter in a way that would make it appear that it is merely about an ideological point of view. This matter involves the Dublin bus market and the delivery of services therein.

Road Network. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: No, I am not saying that. I said that there would be competition and that there will be an open market in Dublin.

Public Transport. (2 Nov 2004)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 129 together. Talks on the reform of public transport between officials in my Department and the CIE unions, under an independent chair appointed by the Labour Relations Commission, were adjourned in mid-September. I am reviewing the developments which have taken place during these talks and the technical work which has been undertaken by my Department...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (19 Oct 2004)

Martin Cullen: In accordance with the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, aircraft may come into Ireland for technical stops such as for refuelling purposes, as this aircraft has done, without notifying the Department of Transport, and no notification about this aircraft was received by my Department. However, as I indicated in an earlier reply to a parliamentary question on 7 October...

Written Answers — Rail Services: Rail Services (19 Oct 2004)

Martin Cullen: Since the publication of the strategic rail review in 2003, my Department has held a number of meetings with Irish Rail at which the company has reported on its progress in improving the performance of its freight business. Iarnród Éireann informs me that it has secured new contracts, has consolidated the business and has been targeting train load traffics which are best suited to the rail...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (19 Oct 2004)

Martin Cullen: The NRA engaged management consultants, PricewaterhouseCoopers, to review its arrangements for the implementation of the national roads programme and to make recommendations on the optimisation of these arrangements to secure further efficiencies in the implementation of the national roads programme and ensure value for money. The review has been submitted to my Department by the NRA. The...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (19 Oct 2004)

Martin Cullen: Over the past 20 years, the Government has invested a total of €260.3 million in Aer Lingus, the details of which are set out in the following table. Year Aer Lingus €m 1983 19.05 1984 19.05 1993 95.23 1994 63.49 1995 63.49 Total 260.31 All the investment was provided to assist with re-structuring of the company in times of crisis. In the 20-year period,...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (19 Oct 2004)

Martin Cullen: The Goldman Sachs report on Aer Lingus is being considered by me and my officials. It has also been circulated to the members of the Cabinet sub-committee and a meeting of this committee will take place in the very near future. This report will form an input into my deliberations and those of the Cabinet sub-committee prior to any decision by Government on the future of Aer Lingus. In...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (19 Oct 2004)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 415 together. Responsibility for the development of specific proposals for the expansion of Luas services lies with the Railway Procurement Agency. In considering future lines and extensions, the RPA will have regard to the overall Dublin Transportation Office strategy, as set out in A Platform for Change. I understand from the RPA that inquiries are...