Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Transport when he plans to bring forward legislation to reform the bus licensing Act 1932; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32642/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Transport when he will introduce the new bus licensing legislation; the measures that will be contained in the new legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32543/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 46 together.

The Agreed Programme for Government includes a commitment to improving bus services under Transport 21 by reforming the bus licensing provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932, to facilitate the optimum provision of services by providing a level playing field for all market participants, both public and private. It is my intention that proposals for a new bus licensing regime will be contained in a Public Transport Regulation Bill which will deal with the replacement of the Road Transport Act 1932 and the provisions of the Transport Act 1958 that relate to the provision of bus services by the State bus companies. 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 in a manner consistent with EU Regulation 1370/2007 on public service obligations.

Until the proposed legislation is enacted, applications for new bus licences and notifications from State bus operators will continue to be processed under the provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932, as amended, and the notification system with reference to the Transport Act 1958, as appropriate. The Public Transport Regulation Bill is included in the Government Legislative Programme in the list of Bills that have yet to be approved by Government. It is my intention to seek Government approval to a General Scheme of the Bill before the end of the year with a view to publication in 2009.