Written answers

Wednesday, 7 June 2006

Department of Transport

Public Transport

9:00 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Transport the measures he has taken to date in 2006 to introduce competition into the Dublin bus market; the number of meetings which have taken place in 2006 on this issue; the main obstacles to opening up the Dublin bus market; when same will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21951/06]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I have given a public commitment to modernizing the regulatory framework governing public transport and the provision of bus services by both public and private operators, 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, a range of meetings have taken place with the key stakeholders including the CIE Companies, the Unions and representatives of private bus operators. 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 Establishment Team 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 and further market opening 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.

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