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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 3

Written Answers. - Road Passenger Licences.

Michael McDowell

Question:

18 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications his views on whether it is appropriate that all applications for road passenger licences in respect of city bus tour services are approved by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6531/97]

The Road Transport Act, 1932, is the legislative basis for the licensing of scheduled bus services. The Department, in considering applications for scheduled passenger service licences under the 1932 Act, is obliged to have regard in the public interest to authorised bus services operating on or in the neighbourhood of the route in question. In general, it is only possible to license one operator to provide a particular service over a specific route.

However, it is possible to adopt a more flexible attitude in the case of passenger services in niche markets, such as the tourist sector. The regulation of tourism services does not involve the same strategic concerns raised by the licensing of mainstream scheduled bus services. These city tours do not fulfil any significant public transport function, but are primarily meeting a tourist demand for discretionary leisure activities. Consequently, I consider that the public interest is best served by allowing competition in respect of such services. For this reason, all applications for road passenger licences from suitably-qualified transport operators in respect of city tour services are approved, subject to the production by the bus operator concerned of relevant insurance and safety certificates in respect of the vehicle(s) which will be used to provide the services in question.

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