Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I join with Deputy Kenny in objecting to the guillotine being used for the Dublin Transport Authority Bill. Of 108 Report Stage amendments, only amendment no. 8 was reached last week. A range of important amendments must be debated adequately by the House. The Committee Stage debate took 13 hours.

The Labour Party is concerned about the lack of accountability which will exist with the Dublin transport authority. While the Labour Party supports the authority's creation, there is a fundamental lack of democracy and accountability in its proposed structure. The Labour Party is determined that the Dublin transport authority does not become another HSE on wheels. An extended debate is needed to ensure this does not happen.

A raft of amendments on commuters' rights have been tabled to ensure cyclists and pedestrians are represented on the authority's board. Amendments on workers' rights in the public and private transport sector have also been tabled. The Minister for Transport has failed to place any safeguards for workers' rights in the legislation. A decent debate on the Bill is needed and it is reprehensible for the House to rush through 108 amendments in an hour.

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