Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

The questions are well padded.

Accountability in respect of parliamentary questions will be highly important. The same principle should apply as operates with regard to parliamentary questions, whereby the Minister makes his response within a set number of days. While Adjournment debates are held at the discretion of the Ceann Comhairle, there should be no change to the procedure for Adjournment debates in respect of transport matters. In other words, I envisage that the Ceann Comhairle would not and could not state such issues were not matters for the House. In addition, requests to adjourn the Dáil Standing Order 32 which generally are not allowed and private notice questions concern highly important issues on which Members must receive assurances.

In fairness, the Minister indicated on Committee Stage his consent in respect of many of these matters. However, for this Bill, Members must step forward together, learn from the mistakes of the HSE and provide for the accountability and transparency that are badly needed, particularly with regard to transport. As Deputies or Ministers, the last comment one wishes to make is that one has no role or power regarding these issues. Major controversies could arise in respect of park and ride facilities and the location of railway stations. The DTA must be accountable to the Dáil for general policy issues and, in extremis, when issues arise such as strikes. While no one wishes to interfere with its internal affairs, when serious and significant policy issues arise, they ought to be raised in the House.

The Minister may reply to the effect that while he does not disagree with Members, they can raise such issues at meetings of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport. However, I do not believe that to be adequate or sufficient. Many of the major players appear before the joint committee. For example, the Dublin Airport Authority appears before it for a few hours, as does Bus Éireann. A calendar of events has developed in which one has an hour or two to query the executives on issues of importance. However, the primacy of the House, particularly in respect of transport planning and conflicts that arise therein, should rest and remain here. I hope this will be the case.

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