Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 630: To ask the Minister for Transport if a timescale exists for the introduction of 100 private sector buses for the Dublin market; when this will happen; if the introduction of same is dependent upon reform of the Transport Act 1932; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9669/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As previously announced, the Government has decided that the regulation of the bus market in the Greater Dublin Area will be the responsibility of the Dublin Transport Authority and has decided to mandate the Dublin Transport Authority to procure 100 buses from the private sector to provide services on new routes. The precise arrangements for the awarding of franchises to private operators in the Dublin market will be dealt with in the context of replacing the Road Transport Act 1932. Reform of the Act is, therefore, necessary to implement the Government decision.

Consequently it is not possible, at this juncture, to indicate when precisely the buses will be in service. In the meantime, the licensing provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932, as amended, will continue to be applied and all applications for bus licences from private operators will be considered on their merits subject to the provisions of the Act.