Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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45. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there is no rail representative on the board of the National Transport Authority; if he will consider rectifying this lack of representation given that the development of a more sustainable form of public transport must be a priority for Government; that some regional lines across the country do not receive the level of attention they should and that this key sector of our public transport system cannot be properly promoted at decision making and financial spending level without a place on this board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40707/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Section 14(1) of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended by Sections 29 and 30 of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, provides that the National Transport Authority (NTA) shall consist of a Chairperson and 11 ordinary members, who perform and carry out the functions of the NTA in accordance with the Acts, and that appointments to the Authority are made by the Minister for Transport.

The legisaltion specifies that (other than for the three ex officio appointments required by the legislation), appointments are made from persons who, in the opinion of the Minister, have wide experience in relation to transport, industrial, commercial, financial, land use planning or environmental matters, the organisation of workers or administration.

The NTA has responsibility for the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network and the provision of public transport infrastructure. As Minister, I will continue to have regard to the need for an appropriate mix of experience across relevant areas, including rail, when filling future vacancies on the Board of the NTA.