Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Transport when construction of the DART underground will begin; the action being taken to compensate inner city communities for the disruption caused by the proposed works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39683/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Construction of the DART Underground comes under the remit of Iarnród Éireann and I understand that an application for a Railway Order for the DART Underground will be submitted by Iarnród Éireann to An Bord Pleanála in early 2010.

The start and completion dates of Transport 21 projects in planning, such as the DART Underground, will in each case be determined by the outcome of public consultation, the statutory planning approval process, the public procurement process and the availability of financial resources determined by the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate. As I have previously indicated to the House, the DART Underground is intended to be procured by means of a Public Private Partnership.

Significant engagement has taken place with communities along the route during public consultations on the project.

However, it must be acknowledged that a project of the scale of DART Underground cannot be delivered without some disruption. Iarnród Éireann will continue to work in the planning and design of the project to minimise such disruption. It must also be acknowledged the project will, on completion, bring significant benefits to the communities along the route and wider Dublin region.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the alleged operation of the direct bus service by a company (details supplied) between Dublin and Galway without a licence; the number of other bus services which are under investigation by his Department and An Garda Síochána; his views on the insurance, health and safety implications of this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39538/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that there are 3 licensed operators on the Galway-Dublin City/Airport route offering a range of multi stop and non stop services. Only one of these operators is licensed to operate a non stop service. My Department is aware that one of the operators in question is operating an unlicensed non stop service between Galway-Dublin City/Airport and that this matter has been referred to An Garda Síochána. I can confirm that 3 other unlicensed services on other routes are currently being investigated by my Department.

I can also confirm that the operator of the unlicensed services between Galway and Dublin holds a current International Road Passenger Transport Operator's Licence from my Department.

Before any operator can obtain a Road Passenger Transport Operator's Licence, they must satisfy a number of conditions, including that any vehicle to be authorised under the operator's licence has a roadworthiness certificate, is taxed and insured and that its tachograph is in working order.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for capital spending in the transport sector for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; if he is preparing a submission on transport capital spending for Budget 2010; the recommendations he has made to the Department of Finance in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39542/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The capital funding allocation for my Department for the coming years will be determined as part of the 2010 Budget process and discussions are taking place between officials of my Department and the Department of Finance on this matter.

The priorities for future investment in transport are set out in the Renewed Programme for Government. Transport 21 will continue to provide the strategic framework for capital spending on transport infrastructure. Projects will commence subject to relevant statutory, procurement and contract award processes, and as the necessary funding becomes available.