Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

It is very frustrating.

First, we heard yesterday that the heads of the Bill for the election of a Dublin mayor, the mayor of the four counties of Dublin, will be brought forward this year. What is the current position? The mayor was to be the chair of the transport authority, which was then extended to the whole nation. Will it not be a farce if we do not give the mayor a major input into transport?

Second, what is the current status of the National Transport Authority? How many staff has it got currently? I am aware the website is operating, its functions are set out, and Mr. Murphy invited Opposition spokespersons to a briefing, but to what extent is it up and running? Has it taken over the functions of the Dublin Transportation Office or how much further has it gone?

In that context, what is the current status of the taxi commission? Has the taxi commission effectively been abolished, with the National Transport Authority now the regulator of taxis?

See this speech in context