Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I intend to establish the Dublin Transport Authority as early as possible in 2009 once I am satisfied it has the financial and staffing resources necessary to enable it effectively discharge the functions assigned to it by the Oireachtas under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008.

Discussions are taking place between my Department and the Department of Finance on the financing and staffing of the authority against the background of the difficult position faced by the Exchequer outlined in the recent budget. The process of appointing a chief executive designate of the new authority will commence once those discussions have been finalised.

Part 6 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 provides for the dissolution of the Dublin Transportation Office and the transfer of its employees to the Dublin Transport Authority in accordance with the detailed arrangements set out in that Part of the Act.

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