Vol. 414 No. 4
263 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will outline the parties he has met to discuss the deregulation of the Road Traffic Act, 1932; and if any commitment has been given to pay a subvention should a company be set up to provide public transport.
In the course of my consideration of proposals for the liberalisation of the bus industry, I have put in place liaison arrangements between my Department and all the interested parties to elicit the widest range of views in relation to the future development of the bus industry. Officials of my Department have had discussions with Córas Iompair Éireann, the Private Association of Motor Bus Owners (PAMBO), the Federation of Transport Operators (FOTO), the Irish Transporters Consociate, the State Licensed Operators Group, the Irish Congress of Trade unions and the National Rail and Bus Workers Union. I receive regular progress reports on discussions with all these parties. I will meet with interested parties myself as appropriate.
I expect to be in a position to submit detailed proposals for a Bill to the Government shortly. One of the major objectives of the proposals will be to improve the levels and quality of bus services available to the general public and to introduce competition into the bus industry on a sensible and orderly basis. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific aspects of the proposals in advance of their consideration by the Government.
