Written answers

Thursday, 6 December 2007

Department of Transport

Transport Regulation

8:00 pm

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will create the role of a National Transport Regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32940/07]

Photo of Joe CareyJoe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will open up the bus market to increased competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32878/07]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has plans to introduce new national or regional transport authorities to complement the proposed Dublin Transport Authority and implement Transport 21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32797/07]

Photo of Kieran O'DonnellKieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has plans relating to a review or restructuring of regulatory bodies in the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32935/07]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 13, 38 and 76 together.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine a National Transport Regulator in the context of the proposed review of the economic regulatory environment.

The first step is, as stated in the Programme for Government, to expedite the establishment of a Dublin Transport Authority which will have overall responsibility for surface transport in the Greater Dublin Area. I am currently examining legislative proposals for the proposed Authority with the intention of bringing them to Government for approval and to publish a Dublin Transport Authority Bill in due course.

The Programme for Government also 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 for bus licences 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.

The proposed review of the entire economic regulatory framework, to which I referred to at the outset, is being coordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach. The Government is reflecting on how best to proceed with this review, which will of necessity involve a number of Government Departments.

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