Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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179. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislative responsibility of each of the various stakeholders that operate in public transport; the mechanism in place for co-operation and co-ordination; and his views on whether there is a duplication of roles (details supplied). [22791/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended, has improved the mechanisms in place for the cooperation and coordination of public transport.

Under the legislation, the NTA is the body responsible for securing the provision of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and for preparing a transport strategy to provide a long term strategic planning framework for the integrated development of transport infrastructure  and services in the GDA  The National Planning Framework includes a policy objective to extend the NTA's statutory responsibility for transport planning beyond the GDA to encompass all of our cities. This will strengthen the levels of integration between spatial planning and transport planning across the country.

With regard to the other stakeholders mentioned by the Deputy, TII and the local authorities are required to act in a manner that is consistent with the NTA's transport strategy. Dublin Bus, Iarnrod Eireann and Bus Eireann operate public transport services on the basis of contracts entered into with the NTA in respect of the non-commercial services operated.

Legislation governing TII is provided for under the Roads Act 2015. Legislation governing Córas Iompair Éireann is provided for under the Transport Act, 1950, as amended. Legislation governing the CIÉ subsidiary companies is provided for under the Transport (Reorganisation of Córas Iompair Éireann) Act, 1986, as amended. Legislation governing the local authorities is a matter for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

The NTA has extensive powers which reflect the importance of public transport service integration.  The mechanism for cooperation and coordination between the various stakeholders is a matter for the individual stakeholders but I am satisfied that there is appropriate cooperation and coordination between them and that there is no duplication of roles.