Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Transport if his views on the actions of Dublin Bus in the Lucan area in response to competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32610/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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There is correspondence between my Department and Dublin Bus concerning a Departmental investigation into allegations that Dublin Bus were acting in an anti-competitive manner in the provision of bus services in the Lucan area. This correspondence was released by my Department under the Freedom of Information Act. I understand that the Competition Authority is currently investigating claims of anti-competitive behaviour against Dublin Bus and I am, therefore, precluded from commenting on the allegations at this stage.

This incident highlights what I have stated since taking up office — that the bus licensing regime must be overhauled. In accordance with the Programme for Government commitment, the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 was enacted in July 2008 and provides for the establishment of the Dublin Transport Authority.The provisions of the Act allow for increased private participation in the Dublin bus market in the context of any future growth in the market. In future there will be open tendering by the DTA by way of contracts in accordance with the new EU Regulation 1370/2007 on public passenger transport services by rail and by road.

The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to improving bus services under Transport 21 by reforming the bus licensing provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932. In this regard a Public Transport Regulation Bill which will deal with the replacement of the Road Transport Act 1932 is in course of preparation. It is envisaged that the new licensing structure will apply in respect of all commercial bus services, including those provided by Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann and will encompass provisions relating to the subvented bus market outside the Greater Dublin Area that are consistent with the new EU PSO Regulation.