Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Transport when he will update the bus licensing system; when that legislation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24360/07]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Transport the way he proposes to reform bus licensing; the timescale he is working to in this regard; when legislation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24267/07]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Transport when the 100 private buses promised in 2006 will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24368/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 19 and 73 together.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to improve bus services under Transport 21 by reforming bus licensing to facilitate the optimum provision of services by providing a level playing field for all market participants. The precise arrangements for the procurement of buses from the private sector will be dealt with in this context. The new licensing regime will be designed in a manner consistent with the recently adopted EU Regulation on Public Service Obligations in the transport sector.

While it is not possible at this time to indicate a precise time as to when the legislative proposals on regulatory reform of the bus market will be published, applications and notifications from bus operators will continue to be processed under the provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932, as amended, or the notification system with reference to the Transport Act 1958, as appropriate.