Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their contributions. Senator Quinn's reference to Russia was interesting. I was involved in a trade mission to Moscow last week, where there are great possibilities for us. Russia has learned from its history. From a capacity and trade viewpoint, Ireland needs to look towards Russia, which is only four hours away. It would be fantastic if direct flights between both countries were available.

Senator Barrett referred earlier to the rubber-stamping of legislation. I am not seeking a rubber-stamping of this legislation by the Seanad. I purposely introduced this Bill in the Seanad. I am proud to have been first elected as a Member of this House. I have engaged as much as possible on this Bill. I do not propose to accept the amendments proposed. I have set out the rationale for the Dáil amendments to the Bill, which are narrowly based. The proposals put forward by Senators would undermine that process. It is important to remember that this legislation is primarily a taxi Bill, although not exclusively so. Some further legislative changes that are necessary and appropriate in relation to wider public transport matters are included. It is not unusual to include provisions such as those proposed into a Bill of this type. One only gets a certain amount of time in each House within which to do so.

It is not appropriate at this stage of the process to seek to develop the scope of the Bill to encapsulate any other significant new policy changes resulting from the acceptance of amendments. Regulation of the bus market is being considered separately, led by me. New intentions in this space will be announced before the end of this year. It is an area that needs to be looked at from the bottom up. I am pro-public service obligation. I do not believe current public service obligations meet our requirements. By its very nature public transport is not necessarily profit making. However, we must set public service obligation routes for a modern Ireland. Ireland has changed considerably in a short space of time.

It is important I emphasise a couple of points at this stage. We need to secure a firm legal framework for the existing arrangements in respect of the rural transport programme. This is the reason for the inclusion of the provision at issue. Previous Governments proposed the abolition of the rural transport programme, for which I bear responsibility. As somebody who is pro-rural Ireland, I do not accept this. However, we need to change it and I am in the process of doing so. I have published a report on the matter. It is proposed to consolidate the groups operating in this area. To move forward and ensure flexibility in this area we need to make the changes proposed in this Bill. This is not only about direct award. Many of the services that will be operated under the rural transport programme will be tendered. We need flexibility to enable the changeover. Many rural transport operators own their buses and some services are, in the main, accessibility orientated. Senators and Deputies from all parties, including Ministers, are passionate about this issue. I need the legislative backup to proceed in creating a better coming together of rural transport services and other services, including school transport services which does not come directly within my remit.

This Bill also extends the powers of the NTA outside the greater Dublin area in terms of infrastructural changes for cycling. The NTA does a great deal of work in the area of cycling and motorcycling, which often requires investment in areas outside the GDA. It is critical there is joined-up thinking in this area. While I take on board Senators' queries, there is an honest reason for the inclusion at this stage of the provision concerned in the Bill.