I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 to 217, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
In relation to the Deputy's specific question about meetings between either myself or my Department and Go-Ahead Ireland, this does not fall within my remit and would not be appropriate. The NTA is engaging regularly with Go Ahead Ireland and the other public transport operators in relation to any service provision issues on the Public Service Obligation network, and that the NTA are providing regular updates to my department in relation to these issues.
In light of the above, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions in relation to Go-Ahead Ireland, to the NTA for directly reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.