Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of bodies and agencies under his aegis; and his proposals for the rationalisation of same. [6493/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently 33 bodies under the aegis of the Department, including six Harbour Authorities under the Harbours Act 1946. Current policy is to abolish all of these harbour authorities by their transfer to local authority control or amalgamation with a State owned port company. 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 being given to the merging of the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency and this will be progressed during 2010.