Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for highlighting the many issues that have been raised. Given the broad range of areas covered by the Bill, unsurprisingly a breadth of matters have been raised by each of the Senators who have spoken. I will try to respond to each of their queries in turn.

Senator Sean D. Barrett spoke about the role of the National Transport Authority, NTA, and asked whether it might take on the role of regulatory body in respect of rail services. I understand the Senator has tabled a number of amendments to provide for this, but he may not now get an opportunity to move them. He makes the point that because the NTA is the regulatory body for other forms of transport, it would be appropriate for it to also perform that role in relation to the rail market. That is not an approach that would be possible to take to the rail market in Ireland or more broadly, the reason being that under recent European Union regulations, each member state is required to have a single independent body with a regulatory function in relation to rail services. We believe it is appropriate that this role be discharged by the Railway Safety Commission which I am satisfied has the expertise and ability to perform the function.

Senator Sean D. Barrett also spoke about the impact of a potential metro project on St. Stephen's Green. The Senator has long been voicing his concern in that regard. I remain confident that when the project moves through the planning process, many of the matters raised by the Senator will be dealt with. He also raised the more broader issue of the need for regulation in dispatch services within Ireland. I am strongly of the view that there is such a need. I do not believe competition and regulation are in any way incompatible. Many of the operators involved in providing these services within Ireland accept regulation and understand it has a role to play in the provision of a better service for their consumers, while ensuring their industry is on a sustainable and firm footing.

Senator Pat O'Neill made a number of points about the Bill and broader transport policy. He referenced the fact that funding for public transport infrastructure was due to increase in the coming years under the Government's capital plan. As a result of the current growth and change in the economy, the Government is able to fund this infrastructure. Its availability will, in turn, facilitate more sustainable growth into the future. On the Senator's question about planning applications and where they should be lodged, it is very much dependent on the nature of the planning application being made. A planning application that falls under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act should be lodged directly with An Bord Pleanála, while planning applications for many other forms of transport infrastructure should be lodged with the relevant local authority.

Senator Pat O'Neill also spoke about changes in technology and the increased number of bookings made online via devices and Apps. The Bill seeks to ensure we will have in place a comprehensive definition of dispatch operations to reflect in law the type of change taking place in the provision of dispatch services within Ireland.

Senator Paschal Mooney touched on a number of points about the Bill. He also articulated his support for the metro project and asked what could be done to enable it to commence sooner. Provision is made in the capital plan, as drafted, for an interim review such that if the economy were to improve further, particular infrastructural projects could be reviewed and, I hope, brought forward. However, this is dependent on what happens in the economy and the Government of the day. The speedy delivery of the metro project is exceptionally important. The Senator is correct in saying it is likely that the project, as planned, will not be open for use by commuters until approximately 2026.