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Public Transport.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004

Tuesday, 23 March 2004

Questions (451, 452)

Denis Naughten

Question:

451 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport when a decision will be made on the outstanding 2003 applications for bus licences and authorisations in view of recent discussions at the Oireachtas committee; when a decision will be made on an application (details supplied) which has been with his Department for over seven months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9058/04]

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Written answers

During the course of 2003, a total of 196 applications were received for new passenger licences or amendments to existing licences representing an increase of nearly 100% on 2002. The Department succeeded in dealing with 139 of these applications, as well as concluding assessment of a substantial backlog of applications from previous years. A total of 57 were carried forward into 2004. Of these, 26 have been processed to date. All but one of the remaining 31 applications are currently under consideration and these are expected to be cleared by end May subject to the retention of existing bus licensing staff and the timely provision of any further information by applicants where necessary.

The particular notification referred to in the Deputy's question is one of only three notifications, of a total of 157 received from the CIE bus companies during 2003, upon which a decision had to be deferred pending clearance of a prior application for a passenger licence from a private operator. The Department expects to be in a position to make a decision on the case involved by the end of this month.

Denis Naughten

Question:

452 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the introduction of bus competition outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9059/04]

View answer

I set out my policy proposals for public transport reform in statements to the Public Transport Partnership Forum in November 2002 and the Oireachtas committee on transport in June 2003. It is my intention that all public transport outside the greater Dublin area be subject to independent economic regulation. I also propose to establish an independent procurement and regulatory body for public transport on a national basis.

I have considered the many comprehensive submissions to my Department following the publication of the consultant's report commissioned by my Department, entitled Regulation of Bus Services Outside the Greater Dublin Area. It is my intention to bring forward detailed proposals in the near future having regard to the ongoing discussions on public transport reform with the CIE unions.

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