Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006
443 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the arrangements which will be put in place for staff in the Dublin Transport Office following the establishment of the Greater Dublin Transport Authority; if all staff will be transferred to the new office; and if existing contracts and employment agreements will be maintained in the transfer to the new authority. [25588/06]
View answer444 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport when he expects to open the Dublin Transport Authority; the location of the Authority; the budget which has been allocated for its operation; if the authority will be in operation prior to the establishment of legislation setting out its powers; and if so, the authority such an office will have to direct other local authorities or transport companies in transport matters. [25589/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 together.
I received the report of the Dublin Transportation Authority Establishment Team on the 28th of March. I had asked the Team to: make recommendations on the establishment of a transport authority for the Greater Dublin Area, addressing the remit of the authority, its powers, structure, organisation and human and other resource requirements and such other matters as the Team considered appropriate; give advice on the content of legislation required to establish the proposed authority on a statutory basis; and make recommendations on what interim arrangements should be put in place pending the enactment of the legislation.
Significant work has been undertaken by my Department in the interim in relation to the legislative measures required to establish such an Authority on a statutory basis. It remains my intention to submit the matter to Government for decision in the near future and I expect to be in a position to publish legislation as soon as is practicable following that decision. It would clearly not be appropriate to outline details of my proposals for the new Authority, including possible implications for the Dublin Transportation Office, pending consideration of the matter by the Government. Consideration will also be given by Government to the establishment of an interim Authority to put in place the organisational structure of a new Authority, such as the recruitment of senior management, sourcing of accommodation etc. pending the passage of legislation.
