Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I second the Senator Donohoe's amendment to the Order of Business on the Dublin Transport Authority Bill. It is important legislation. Since we commenced this Seanad, we have amended three Bills because of errors in them. It is important that time is permitted for the taking of such an extensive Bill.

On a transport-related matter, I ask that the Minister for Transport be invited to come to the House for a debate on the Road Transport Act 1932. It dates from the 1930s but it cannot be applied as it was at that time. It provides for the licensing of, among other matters, bus passenger services. I am prompted to make this request by the operation of the Patten Flyer service between Dalkey and Dublin Airport. The operators of this service provided a much needed service in the area where there was no pre-existing service. An application for a licence was made in 2006, but it has not been dealt with. The Minister, Deputy Dempsey, has referred the matter to the Garda. Efforts are being made with the Dublin Airport Authority not to give stopping rights to the Patten Flyer.

The manner in which this Act is implemented cannot be considered in isolation from the European framework within which we operate and the freedom to provide services. I request a debate on that Act and specifically that the Minister would address the manner in which he is implementing the Act, in particular in regard to a service that is operating very successfully between Dalkey and the airport.