John Gormley

148. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport when the trains on the Dublin-Sligo line will be upgraded as currently DART commuter trains are being used on this inter-city line (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4878/06]
 
   Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen): While the deployment of its fleet is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann, I am advised by the company that the frequency of service on the Dublin-Sligo railway line was recently improved from three services per day to five, with the introduction of Iarnród Éireann’s new timetable in December 2005.  In addition, 150 new railcars are on order and some of these will be deployed by the company on the Dublin-Sligo route from 2008, offering higher levels of passenger comfort and frequency than at present.

269. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that approximately 60% of public service vehicle licences have not been renewed and that many taxi drivers could be working with an expired public service vehicle licence; if persons who are operating with an expired public service vehicle licence are insured to carry passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4462/06] (more…)

161. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport the timetable for the development of the extension of LUAS line A from Sandyford to Cherrywood and from St Stephen’s Green to O’Connell Street. [3307/06]
 
   Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen): Transport 21 provides for the completion of the joining of the existing Red and Green lines in the city centre and the Luas extension to Cherrywood in 2008 and 2010 respectively, subject to compliance with the relevant statutory procedures, etc.
  I have already received an application from the RPA for a railway order in respect of the proposed Luas extension to Cherrywood and I have appointed an inspector to conduct the public inquiry in relation to that project. 
  With regard to the proposed linking in the city centre of the existing two Luas lines, the RPA is currently engaged in a public consultation process in relation to the route options and following this process the agency will announce a preferred route option.  The RPA will, in due course, apply for a railway order and a public inquiry will be held.

 229. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport the person responsible for damage to private property caused by the vibration of overflights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39786/05]
 
   Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen): It is not possible to give a definite to answer to such a hypothetical question.  A property owner who believes that his property has been damaged by an aircraft would need to seek legal advice.

321. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport the way in which the US Federal Aviation Administration, according to the recently released report on extraordinary rendition flights from Amnesty International, states that, from September 2001 to September 2005, six CIA chartered planes (details supplied) landed at Shannon Airport 50 times and flight records indicate they took off 35 times; the reason there are discrepancies between the landing and take-off figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39109/05] (more…)

320. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport the body or authority who is responsible when fatal accidents occur on roads which are being reconstructed; his views on whether a totally independent body should be set up to bear responsibility for carrying out investigations to determine whether the road where fatal accidents occur is constructed in compliance with road construction standards and regulations and that the speed limit in place is in accordance with design and status of the road at the time of the accident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37755/05] (more…)

Mr. Gormley: Last week I asked the Taoiseach about promised legislation for barrier-free tolling and the Taoiseach said it was not on his list, but he was corrected subsequently by the Tánaiste.
 
   The Taoiseach: I did not give Deputy Gormley the full answer so I asked the Tánaiste to put it on record.  Legislation is due next year.

 Mr. Gormley: I thank the Tánaiste for clarifying the position as regards barrier-free tolling.  Simultaneously, the Government has promised to extend tolls until 2030.  Will that also be contained in this new legislation or is it the prerogative—– (more…)

 Mr. Gormley: There were queues of motorists at the West Link bridge this morning due to a sweetheart deal between the Government and NTR.  Basically, this was a licence to print money.
 
   An Ceann Comhairle: Does the Deputy have a question on the Order of Business?
 
   Mr. Gormley: I do.  It concerns promised legislation.  Can the Taoiseach confirm that the Government is now preparing the heads of a Bill for barrier-free tolling?  When will this legislation be introduced? (more…)

  72. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport his reasons for not making the Transport 21 plan available for public comment; his plans for the publication of the plan; and the cost incurred in the creation of the plan. [36061/05] (more…)