Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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544. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the National Transport Authority advisory council to be set up under section 17 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008; when this advisory council will be set up; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41707/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 provided for a new authority to oversee the development of transport in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). Section 17 of the Act allowed for the setting up of an Advisory Council of a Chairperson and 23 ordinary members. Under the Act, a majority of the Council would comprise officials and elected members of the various local / regional authorities in the GDA.

However, given that the remit of the Authority has been broadened over the years since 2008 especially by bringing national transport issues within its remit (rather than exclusively GDA matters), establishing an advisory council solely for GDA transport (as enabled by the legislation) would probably no longer be appropriate.

However, I am open to considering the merits of a broader national level advisory council and this is one of the wide range of matters that is within the scope of the Public Transport Policy Review which my Department is currently undertaking. It is expected that a public consultation on the Review will commence shortly.