asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport when the Dublin Transportation Task Force, which was promised to replace the Dublin Transport Authority, will be operational; if the former chief executive on the Dublin Transport Authority has been redeployed to a permanent post within the public sector; if agreement has been reached with the former chief executive regarding his pension rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Transportation Task Force.
10.
The Dublin Transportation Task Force were reconstituted in January 1988 and are fully operational.
The former chief executive of the Dublin Transport Authority accepted redundancy under the Government voluntary redundancy-early retirement package on 31 December 1987. He subsequently received a lump sum payment and is being paid a pension in accordance with the provisions of that package and the terms of the approved pension scheme applicable to staff of the Authority.
What terms of reference have been given to the task force? To what extent will that task force be taking on the responsibilities of the Dublin Transport Authority abolished by the Government? What resources have been given to the task force to pursue their job?
The Dublin Transportation Task Force have the following terms of reference as decided by the Government: first, to co-ordinate, on a non-statutory basis, traffic management and bus priority activities in the Dublin area, devising new schemes where appropriate. They were involved in that exercise, as the Deputy knows, prior to the setting up of the Dublin Transport Authority. Second, to settle annually the priorities for funding traffic management and bus priority schemes within the budget allocation in the Tourism and Transport Vote. The Deputy asked in his supplementary question how much that was. In 1988, £165,000 has been allocated. Third, by these and any other appropriate means to pursue the stated aims of reducing traffic congestion, especially at peak times, and promoting and facilitating the use of public transport services. They held their first meeting on 27 January last.
Would it be true to say that the task force job is solely a traffic management function and not a research function or, indeed, a function to advise on alternative transportation policies?
There is not a research element in the terms of reference but, needless to say, no initiatives will be undertaken by a task force which are experienced in the area of transport without studying various aspects of any particular initiative.
What is the net Exchequer saving on the abolition of the Dublin Transport Authority, taking into account the redundancy payment made to the chief executive and the pension which, in the event of his living a normal life, will be payable for another 34 years?
I have not got the exact figure with me, but I shall write to the Deputy and let him know.
Would the Minister not agree that the saving is minuscule and that the overall policy decision in this regard has done absolutely nothing to improve the general transport situation in the greater Dublin area?
Minuscule it may be, but I am reminded of the Scottish proverb — many a mickle makes a muckle.
With regard to the work of the task force in considering alternatives and particularly alleviation of peak time traffic, is it open to them to consider alternatives such as rapid rail and the prospects for the development of that system in the Dublin area in particular?
I do not think that is so. A Government statement has been issued in that regard and due to the huge cost of such a development the Government decided that that option should not be pursued by Coras Iompar Éireann. Coras Iompar Éireann were instructed by the Government to form their development plans taking into account diesel services on existing suburban railways and busways.
That is my point. I am aware of the Government's advice to this House in October, but have the task force been made aware of this and have their terms of reference been curtailed specifically not to consider the rapid transit system as an alternative, even on the academic as opposed to the practical level?
In so far as the task force can consider anything, it must be covered by the terms of reference which I read out to Deputy De Rossa.
A final supplementary from Deputy Desmond.
Would the Minister consider that it was in the public interest that a distinguished public servant with enormous experience in traffic management in the local authority, Dublin County Council, who became chief executive officer of the Authority in his early forties should be given a lump sum payment and pensioned off for life and that his experience and the exceptional contribution which he was making and would be capable of making to transport management in the greater Dublin area should be frittered away as a result of a capricious, unnecessary policy decision to abolish a body because it happened to be on a list when they came into office? Would the Minister consider that to have been in the public interest?
Is the Deputy finished? Yes?
I never finish since the Minister became involved.
The chief executive concerned deserved all the epithets of praise which were lavished on him by Deputy Desmond. He accepted the redundancy package as outlined. He got the lump sum and pension. He is still a young, able, highly qualified and vigorous man and I am sure that, even in the area of transport consultancy etc, he will find work for himself. Knowing him, I think he will.
He is so disgusted with what has happened that I would not blame him for losing any initiative.