Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I move amendment No. 10:

In page 8, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following:

"10.—Before consideration of applications for grant of licences begins the Authority shall initiate a public consultation process which clearly sets out procedures for advertising for applications and how the public can make submissions before applications are considered.".

We held a lengthy discussion on this issue on Committee Stage. It is critical that competitions are fully advertised so that all interests can be consulted. The Bill does not make sufficient mention of the numerous commuter and passenger organisations that have been established in Ireland. We are contacted on a regular basis by Rail Users Ireland, to cite one example.

Communities all over Ireland are interested in their parts of the national network. Historically, public demand for improved or new routes has been expressed through Members of this House. It is alleged, for example, that one of the routes discontinued when the Minister for Transport slashed the budget of Dublin Bus was originally provided after representations by the former Taoiseach on behalf of his constituents in Dublin Central. Communities have legitimate concerns when they learn of routes being threatened. Recently, the collapse of the Broadmeadow viaduct on the Dublin-Belfast rail line caused concern among commuters in Drogheda, Balbriggan, south County Louth and east County Meath. The purpose of the amendment is to ensure better consultation is a key aspect of the process of issuing licences.

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