Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I move amendment No. 33:

In page 10, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following:

"(f) any requirements to post a bond or guarantees to protect the State in the event of bankruptcy or substantial non compliance with this Act or the conditions of the Licence.".

This amendment deals with key issues in respect of the provision of licences. I previously mentioned the AerDart service which operated in my constituency for approximately 15 months before arbitrarily disappearing. This is a protective measure for the State and the regulator which ensures that the withdrawal of a service would not greatly inconvenience commuters where an operator refuses to adhere to the conditions of a licence.

Amendment No. 52 provides for the revocation of a licence where the authority believes conditions have not been met or the agreed service has not been provided. Again, this amendment seeks to protect the regulator and the State. We held a long discussion on Committee Stage about minimum notice periods for the discontinuation of services and while the Minister gave us assurances regarding the revocation of licences, questions remain about the protection offered to the regulator and the State in the event of non-fulfilment of the conditions of a licence under this section.

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