Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 370: To ask the Minister for Transport if a decision has been made on the granting of a licence to Dublin Bus for the operation of the proposed new number 141 bus route from Swords to Dublin city centre via Santry, Whitehall and Drumcondra; if all private operators that are granted a bus licence are subject to the disability access requirements of the Equal Status Act 2000; if his Department in conjunction with An Garda Síochána is currently investigating the operation of private bus services without a licence in any parts of the country; the mechanisms in place in his Department to monitor and regulate the operation of bus services particularly in the greater Dublin area; if he plans to reform the bus licensing laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33978/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to my reply to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question number 269 on 31st October,2007 when I advised that my Department was currently considering the Dublin Bus proposal for a new Route 141 for bus passenger services between Swords and Rathmines via Drumcondra, taking into account the newly licensed commercial service operating between Swords and the City Centre via the Dublin Port Tunnel. That is still the current position.

Annual Passenger Licences issued in accordance with the Road Transport Act, 1932 are not subject to meeting the disability access requirements of the Equal Status Act, 2000. However, the approach being taken to the provision of wheelchair accessible buses and coaches in Ireland is outlined in "Transport Access for All", my Department's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005, a copy of which is in the Oireachtas Library.

It has long been recognised that the Road Transport Act 1932, as amended, is in need of significant reform so that the legislative provisions better reflect the realities of modern transport services, including the needs of people requiring disability access. The reform programme for the public transport market that I am pursuing will address these needs. In the meantime, my Department will continue to promote improvements in the administration of the bus licensing service based on the principles of due process and fair procedures.

The operation of a passenger road service without a licence issued by my Department is a criminal offence and the enforcement of such activity is a matter in the first instance for the Garda Síochána. In this regard, where my Department becomes aware of the operation of an unauthorised service the matter is passed to the Garda for their investigation.