andMr. Deasy asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the criteria used for acceptance of applications for road passenger licences under the Road Transport Act, 1932.
Written Answers. - Road Passenger Licences.
48.
Section 11 of the Road Transport Act, 1932 confers on the Minister for Tourism and Transport absolute discretion in relation to the grant or refusal of an application for a road passenger licence but, without prejudice to that discretion, provides that the Minister shall have regard to the following matters:
(a) whether the proposed service is required in the public interest having regard to the passenger road services and other forms of passenger transport available to the public on or in the neighbourhood of the route of the proposed service;
(b) whether the proposed service is sufficient in regard to frequency, daily duration and other respects to meet the requirements of the public;
(c) whether the organisation and equipment at the disposal of the applicant are sufficient to enable him to carry on the proposed service in accordance with the conditions which the Minister considers should be inserted in the licences.
Each application for a road passenger licence is considered on its merits in the light of the provisions of the Road Transport Act, 1932 and of existing policy in relation to the arrangements for the provision of road passenger transport services.
I should also mention that, where applicable, applicants for road passenger licences must also satisfy the provisions of the European Communities (Road Passenger Transport) Regulations, 1977, which implement in this country the provisions of EEC Directive 74/562 of 12 November 1974 on admission to the occupation of road passenger transport operator.