Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 June 2005
206 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he has received any communication from Bus Éireann or Bus Átha Cliath with a view to providing a feeder bus service to the various commuter rail stations in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21516/05]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply on this matter of 12 May 2005. The position remains unchanged.
There are some licence applications under consideration in my Department for bus services in the County Kildare area which include stops at train stations. The provision of public bus services on specific routes is a commercial and operational matter for bus operators. It is open to any private bus operator who may be interested to apply to my Department for an annual passenger licence under the Road Transport Act 1932 to operate a regular bus service on such as those routes mentioned in the Deputy's question and my Department would look favourably on any such application.
It is also open to Bus Éireann to initiate new services subject to compliance with the necessary regulatory requirement of giving advance notice to my Department and to compliance with the provisions of section 25 of the Transport Act 1958 concerning competition with licensed private operators.
207 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that full health and safety requirements prevail on all public transport with particular reference to commuter buses and trains; his proposals to fully enhance such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21517/05]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my replies to parliamentary questions reference numbers 21477/05 and 21542/05 which I have answered today.
Matters in relation to the health and safety of workers are a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
