Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I would be surprised if the regulations with regard to disability are not applied universally; otherwise, it is discrimination against disabled persons using either public or private transport.

Many bus operators are small-time entrepreneurs on a small budget. They do their best to keep their buses on the road. Prior to this legislation, most of them were confined to small runs such as the bingo bus but they are the hearts and souls of their communities. In many cases, their vehicles are small minibuses or a smaller type of public service vehicle. I laud them for their enterprise and for their commitment to their community. They do their very best and they comply with all the road safety regulations.

On the question of competition, many of the larger private sector companies have first-class buses, as good as any used by Bus Éireann or Dublin Bus. What is needed is a level playing field. If the Bill were to achieve this, then it would find favour with Fine Gael, whose policy is that any operator could compete for a bundle of routes. These routes would be based and planned to make them attractive to the smaller operators with three or four buses. Ireland is built on enterprise and the majority of these operators are based in rural areas where they are held in the highest esteem in their local areas. I would like to see them being allowed compete to provide an even better service. We want the legislation to allow them to do so.

I am not sure about Deputy Broughan's views but the Minister and I are in agreement on this point. I refer to a person operating without a licence — under the current legislation this would incur a fine of €50 and €6 per day thereafter. If the new legislation requires the applicants to be of good character and to meet certain requirements, then a conviction no matter how small for operating an unlicensed bus service could mean that such an applicant will not be considered for any further or other licences by the national transport authority. I know the system operates very well in London. Fine Gael would not support a system to allow a State monopoly to be replaced by a private monopoly.

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