Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Transport if he continues to support a role for the private sector in the Dublin bus market; when he will introduce reforms to allow for greater private sector involvement in this market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12707/07]

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason for the significant delay in the reform of the Transport Act 1932; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12732/07]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Transport when the 100 private sector operated buses will be fully deployed and operating in Dublin; and the areas they will serve. [12669/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 126 and 131 together.

I am committed to modernizing the regulatory framework governing public transport, not just in Dublin, but nationally. 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.

The legislation in that regard is currently being prepared in my Department which will be applicable to all public coach and bus services within the State.

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.