Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of licences currently in the State for private coach operators with a breakdown by vehicle age; the number that have been tested and the results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17291/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The number of current Road Passenger Transport Operator Licences issued by my Department is 1,811, as at mid-April 2006, the latest date for which I have figures.

The total number of vehicles on those licences, excluding the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann fleets, is 5,266. The breakdown by registration years and vehicle age is as follows:

In order to renew motor tax on a commercial vehicle, including a bus, a valid certificate of roadworthiness for that vehicle must be produced. Some 9,673 roadworthiness tests were carried out on buses in 2004, the latest year for which data is available in my Department. The test results for these vehicles show that there were 7,857 passes and 1,816 fails.

Enforcement of the licensing requirements is a matter for the Transport Officers of the Department and the Garda. The functions of the Transport Officers will transfer to the Road Safety Authority on its establishment.

Vehicle Registration Tax is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.