Ms Maev Nic Lochlainn:

The general scheme will set up the National Transport Authority as an independent regulator. One of the functions of the NTA will be to regulate fares. The NTA may decide how to regulate fares. I think it is unlikely the authority will have powers to go in a serious way and regulate and set fares. The NTA may decide to go more down the route of hackneys whereby an oral fare is agreed in advance and then a trip is made. The powers are permissive. The NTA may regulate the fares or it may be hands-off in how it regulates fares. There are powers in the general scheme to allow the authority to regulate fares.