Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to privatise bus services. [8582/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government to explore the benefit to the public transport passenger of more diverse bus service provision, I am considering the various options that are currently available as regards achieving greater diversity of bus operators. Under EU law and the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended, existing public service obligation (PSO) bus services can be procured by the National Transport Authority (NTA) through direct award contracts and any other new subvented services must be procured by way of open tendering.

The 2008 Act enables the granting of contracts on a direct award basis to Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann in respect of existing services and on a public tender basis for new services. The direct award contracts with the bus companies apply for 5 years. At the end of the 5 year period NTA have discretion to renew, modify or terminate the direct award provision of bus services following a consultation process with interested parties under which the NTA is obliged to justify its approach.

Apart from the public service contract responsibilities granted to the NTA, the 2009 Act also conferred on the NTA responsibility for the licensing of commercial public bus passenger services. The NTA published, in November 2010, new Guidelines for the licensing of public bus services which set out the basis for a reformed licensing system for commercial bus passenger services in the State. The Guidelines identify commercial bus passenger services as a key part of public transport services in the State. I will be consulting with my Ministerial colleagues on the future options for procurement of PSO bus services once I have completed my examination of the options. I hope to announce the outcome of those consultations in the coming months.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his priorities for the development of a comprehensive effort and integrated national transport system in respect of road, rail, air and sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8589/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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This Government's transport objectives are set out in the Programme for Government and place a heavy emphasis on the delivery of effective public transport services. Within this context, I have outlined my transport priorities to 2016 on my Department's website. In particular, I believe that initiatives like integrated ticketing, better stations and bus stops, real-time passenger information, safe cycling and attractive walking are needed to encourage people out of their cars onto public transport.

The Government is committed to reviewing all proposed State investment with a view to identifying investment priorities across the State sector. Following that, the Government will draw up a new National Development Plan that reflects Ireland's changed economic circumstances, covering the seven-year period 2012-2019. The longer-term transport priorities of the Government will be determined by this process.