Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his answer. Is it intended to simplify the process and co-ordinate it better? At present the process encompasses the PSV licence, the check by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government check and the Department of Transport licence. Moreover, the Department of Education and Science is also directly involved in respect of school buses. In that context, does the Government intend to ensure that privately hired buses will be considered in the same light as buses run directly by the Department of Education and Science through the school bus system, either through Bus Éireann or through hiring private buses? The bus in question was hired by parents or the school rather than directly by the Department of Education and Science. Will the Minister, in conjunction with his colleagues, introduce a system that will ensure that all buses in which children travel to school will be covered by the same safety regulations which apply in the present programme for school buses, in which buses are directly hired, either through Bus Éireann or through private operators?

Is there a problem in respect of EU law regarding fitting seat belts on privately hired buses? It has been suggested there may be a difficulty with regard to fitting seat belts on privately hired buses. Is that the case?

Is the retrofitting programme proceeding according to the timeframe provided with specific reference to the school bus programme? Will the Government speed up the process of acquiring new buses? I acknowledge that much progress was made after the crash in County Meath last year and that definite timeframes and plans were set out. In light of this tragic crash, will the Government speed up the process of acquiring new buses which already possess appropriate safety features and which will be newer than many buses in use at present, either in the school bus fleet or in private buses used to bring children to school?

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