Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

The Bill reflects the Government's commitment to reform bus licensing to facilitate the optimum provision of services by providing a level playing field for all of the market. Deputy Broughan's amendment, while it seeks to treat all parties equally, would provide result in public transport companies being treated more equally than the private sector. Representatives of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland made proposals which would have precisely the opposite effect. The CTTC would like wording inserted in the legislation to protect its members.

The purpose of the Dublin Transport Authority Act and this legislation, specifically sections 28 and 52, is to create a level playing field in which private and public bus service providers will be licensed to operate under the same legislative regime. I am satisfied that the provisions of the Bill create that level playing field and we can make no distinction between bus licence applications in the future, whether they are submitted by public or private operators. For that reason, I cannot accept amendment No.12.

We have a public bus company. It was previously decided that it would be a good idea to have a public transport company. It has operated and served us well. As it is a public transport company, it gets subsidies to run particular routes that would not be profitable. This Bill helps to create a situation whereby private sector companies can compete for such PSO contracts if they so wish, and the playing field will be levelled for an open tendering process. It is not possible to expose the commercial secrets of a semi-State company and expect it to compete on a level playing field if the private sector receives commercial confidentiality. Both will be treated equally in that event as well. The Bill outlines very clearly from where we are coming and for that reason I believe the Deputy should withdraw his amendment.

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