Ciarán Cannon (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 19:

In page 20, subsection (1), lines 10 to 13, to delete paragraph (g) and substitute the following:

"(g) by the repeal of section 52.".—

I have no doubt as to the intended thrust of this legislation. Senators Quinn, O'Malley and I are very much on the same wavelength in regard to what exactly we would like to see achieved. I have one major concern, namely, that the element of the Bill that seeks to provide real, effective, open and transparent competition in public transport service provision will not be achieved. As I stated, I have no issue with a public body providing a public transport service provided it provides the best possible value for the taxpayer who ultimately funds it and for the consumer who avails of it. I do not particularly care whether the service from Dublin to Galway is provided by Bus Éireann or another entity as long as it is a proper service at the best possible price.

Section 52 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 goes against everything the Bill sets out to achieve. It allows the Minister to arrange, before the Bill is enacted, to draw up new public service contracts with Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Iarnród Éireann. These contracts will be binding, possibly for the next ten to 15 years. While the object of the proposed new regime is very admirable, section 52 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act will serve to neuter the legislation for many years. It does not allow other operators to tender to operate on the routes in question for the next ten to 15 years. This is one of the most disturbing aspects of the Bill and I do not know the logic behind it. Perhaps the Minister of State will outline it. I look forward to hearing his response.