John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of his Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2749/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department funds the general administrative expenses of the following agencies and the estimates costs in 2008 and 2009 are set out as follows. Eight bodies in total have been abolished in the past 4 years. The Dublin Transportation office replaced by the National Transport Authority on 1st December 2009. Seven Harbour Authorities established under the Harbours Act 1946 have been abolished since 2006. Sligo, Annagassan, River Moy, Youghal, Kilrush and Westport harbours have transferred to local authority control and Dingle has been designated a Fishery Harbour Centre. There are six remaining Harbour Authorities under the Harbours Act 1946. Current policy is to transfer responsibility for these to local authorities l or to amalgamate them with State owned port companies. It is hoped that a number of these transfers will take place in 2010.

In compliance with the Government's decision of October 2008, the Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Transport, the Railway Accident Investigation Unit of the Railway Safety Commission and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board will be administratively merged in mid-2010 to form the Irish Accident Investigation Office as an Executive Office under the aegis of the Department of Transport. Legislation to underpin the new arrangements is expected to be introduced in the Oireachtas in 2010.

It is also my intention to amalgamate the Commission for Aviation Regulation and the regulatory functions of the Irish Aviation Authority with the planned new National Transport Authority. Detailed proposals to implement the decision are currently being considered.

In line with the McCarthy Report proposals, consideration is been given to the merging of the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency and this will be progressed during 2010. The Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 provides for the dissolution of the Commission for Taxi Regulation by the Minister at the request of the National Transport Authority and for the transfer of the staff, functions, duties and ongoing responsibilities of the Commission to the Authority. This will be progressed on receipt of a request from the Authority. General Administrative Expenses

* Abolished 1 December 2009

** Established 1 December 2009