Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. My first question is to Ms Anne Graham, chief executive of the National Transport Authority. On the competitive tender process for 10% of the bus service market which was announced in January 2015, can Ms Graham explain why there has been such a delay in the process? What is the status of the process now? When will the process be finalised?

On the extension of the DART to Balbriggan under the capital plan 2022, has a feasibility study been done on extending the service to Drogheda? This service would be very welcome in the town and would also attract a lot of customers. As we are all aware, there are a large number of residents in Drogheda who need to travel to Dublin on a daily basis.

My second question is to Mr. Richard Brady, assistant chief executive, environment and transportation, in Dublin City Council. In his opening statement, he stated that 500,000 people travel within Dublin city centre on a daily basis. He stated that approximately 235,000 of these are work related, 45,000 are education related and 120,000 are either visitors or shoppers. Is data available on what mode of transport is used by these 500,000 people each day? If so, is the most effective method of developing these transport strategies being used?

My last question is to Mr. Kevin Traynor of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland. He mentioned in his opening submission that at present there is no designated transport hub which could be used by both private and public service operators. He also stated that section 62 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 has not been implemented. He raised his concerns about the lack of coach parking facilities in Dublin city centre. Can he elaborate on this and give this committee more insight into concerns in these areas? I have also noted in his opening statement his concerns about the lack of park and ride facilities in key commuter belts around Dublin city. I travel to the Dáil on at least three occasions weekly from my constituency office in Dundalk and each time I pass the park and ride facilities at the church in Beaumont. On almost every occasion, the car park is almost full. This confirms the success of such a facility. I would like to hear Mr. Traynor's views on park and ride facilities in a city like Dublin and where, in his opinion, we lack these facilities. As Mr. Conor Faughnan stated earlier, everyone has an interest in getting transport right.