Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

Under pressure, the Minister decided that he needed a body to implement the investment programme. He set up a high level group under Professor Margaret O'Mahony, which was fine. We all recognise her expertise in the area. The Minister received the group's report last March. It is now almost October and there has been no movement on it.

In an earlier reply, the Minister said that the second tranche of 100 buses for the Dublin market is to be allocated by the new authority. Bearing in mind that additional buses were needed yesterday and given that we have not even seen the promised legislation, will the Minister give us some idea of the timescale involved with regard to the publication and passage of the legislation and the establishment of the new authority? When will the authority be in a position to deal with the issue of the additional 100 buses? From the point of view of the passengers waiting for a bus on the side of the road this evening, it does not matter who is running the buses. They just want more buses but it seems that under this long-fingered proposal, it is likely to be at least the end of next year before the proposed Dublin transport authority is in a position to deal with the additional buses. Therefore, I ask the Minister to set out the timescale he has in mind.

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