Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has concluded his reviews of the reform of the bus market; and when he will make a decision in relation to the Dublin Bus application for funding. [21418/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I have given a public commitment to modernizing the regulatory framework governing public transport, not just in Dublin, but nationally.

In particular, at the launch of Transport 21, I said that I was convinced that we need a new approach to transport in the Greater Dublin Area, delivered through a single authority with the power to ensure joined-up thinking and delivery across all transport modes.

In advancing the regulatory agenda, discussions have taken place with the key stakeholders including the CIE Companies and the Unions. These discussions form part of a process of engagement that will facilitate and inform the determination of the appropriate structure for the new framework and supporting legislation.

This process is also being informed by the work of the team of experts which was appointed to finalise the remit, structures and human resource requirements of the proposed Dublin Transport Authority. I have now received the report of the team. A draft Memorandum for Government is currently the subject of consultations with other Minister's and will be submitted to Government in the near future.

I will finalise my consideration of how best to proceed with public transport reform in the context of the institutional structures recommended by the team. I would hope to be in a position to publish legislation on the matter in the current year.

My Department is currently considering an application from Dublin Bus for funding for 200 additional buses to be delivered in 2006 and 2007. The application is being considered in the context of Transport 21, the bus network review completed recently by Dublin Bus and the bus market reform process. I will make a decision on the application having regard to the outcome of my deliberations on the reform of the bus market, which I intend to conclude in the coming weeks.