Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I accept the Deputy's point about differences in modes of transport. That is always the subject of debate when one talks in terms of getting rid of what some call quangos and regulators, as Deputies on all sides of the House have been saying in recent years. The reason they were set up separately at various stages is because people felt it was better to keep them separate. Now the mood seems to be that one should bring them all together. I accept Deputy Coveney's point; it would be important in the move to the National Transport Authority that it is a distinct function. This will be part of the approach we take. There is a distinct expertise. The value of moving the operation over to the National Transport Authority is that a lot of the back office and administrative services can be carried out by existing staff which reduces overheads.

The ICAO report is finished and we should have it by the end of the year. That will inform the final decision on the matter but it is still intended to move the safety regulation over to the National Transport Authority. Moves will be made in that regard in the year. The National Transport Authority will have taken over the other functions that we mentioned earlier. We should be in a position to do it some time in 2011.

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