Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1382. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to potential conflicts of interest within the NTA; and if he will ensure that no staff or member of the management team that can influence or decide on the awarding of routes to private bus operators have previously worked at or with the same bus company. [20504/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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No, my attention has not been drawn to any such potential conflicts of interest within the National Transport Authority (NTA). The Deputy is presumably aware that section 37 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (Disclosure of interests by members of staff) sets out the legal framework as regards disclosure of interests by NTA employees.  In addition employees above certain grades are of course also subject to the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts. In addition to this statutory position, the NTA also has its own "Code of Conduct for Staff Members" which is available to view on their website . This Code provides a framework to guide the work of the NTA in order that ethical practices are followed and confidence and trust in the Authority is established and maintained and I note that the first of the five main principles covered by that Code is "Conflict of Interest".

I am satisfied therefore that issues relating to any potential conflict of interest are sufficently provided for in both statute and the NTA's own Code.