Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Transport the nature of the delay in drafting the legislation for the Dublin Transportation Authority Bill; if there are private consultants involved in the process of drafting the legislation; the cost of such consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9724/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I indicated previously that I was undertaking a review of the existing legislative proposals for the Dublin Transport Authority, looking particularly at:

strengthening the provisions of the Bill generally to ensure that the Authority is as effective as possible;

improving the arrangements for co-ordination of land use and transport;

ensuring that the provisions governing the procurement of public transport services and public service obligations take full account of the recently agreed EU Public Service Obligation Regulation and EU law generally.

That review has now been completed. I will now consult with Government colleagues on the changes that have been made and very shortly thereafter I will seek Government approval for the Dublin Transport Authority Bill. I will publish the Bill as this process is complete.

Solicitors Matheson Ormsby Prentice were engaged on two separate occasions during 2006 to provide legal advice on company and EU law issues that arose during the preparation of the Dublin Transport Authority Bill. The total cost of both consultancies was €39,880 (including VAT).