Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 October 2008
273 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the nature of complaints received by his Department from a company (details supplied) into competition issues with a State operator; the steps his Department has taken since receiving the complaints; the action he will take to address the complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36949/08]
View answer280 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the imminent cessation of a bus route (details supplied) between Galway and Cork via Limerick; his views on the allegations of unfair competition by the operation of unscheduled Bus Éireann services on the same route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37301/08]
View answer286 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Galway to Cork bus route via Limerick which is operated by a company (details supplied) is being discontinued; the steps he is taking to ensure competition on this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37563/08]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 273, 280 and 286 together.
The Road Transport Act, 1932, provides the statutory basis for regulating the provision of public bus services by private bus operators. In accordance with the legislation, private bus operators apply to my Department for licences to operate scheduled bus passenger services within the State. Bus Eireann is not subject to licensing in accordance with the 1932 Act. However, the initiation or alteration of a bus service by the Company is 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.
My Department received a complaint from the operator to whom the Deputy refers on 9th September 2008. The details of the nature of the complaint are confidential between the operator and the Department. On receipt of the complaint my Department wrote to the parties relevant to the complaint seeking their observations. That engagement with the parties is ongoing and it would be premature at this stage to make a determination as to the outcome of this matter. It is open to any private operator or either Bus Eireann or Dublin Bus to submit proposals to my Department seeking authorisation to operate bus passenger services. Such proposals are considered on a case by case basis having regard to the relevant legislative code referred to above.
274 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the number of complaints received from private operators relating to unfair competition from State funded transport companies since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36950/08]
View answerSince 2000 my Department has received 22 complaints from licensed private operators in relation to claims of unfair competition by Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann in regard to the operation of their services. Of these 3 are the subject of ongoing correspondence between the Department and the parties involved. All of the other cases have been resolved.
275 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the reason he is not seeking to implement the Meath master plan in view of the fact that it is based on an efficient, multimodal transport network that is a lower cost solution and will reduce car use, oil dependence and CO2 emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36981/08]
View answerI am aware of the privately produced document to which the Deputy refers. All such documents are, of course, considered in the development of transport proposals. In the Meath and surrounding areas, Transport 21, the Government's 10 year financial framework for investment in transport infrastructure, provides for two important projects. Both projects will enhance the public transport options for people travelling to or from County Meath. The M3 motorway from Clonee to North of Kells is currently under construction. With a route length of nearly 60 kilometres, it is the longest stretch of new road to be constructed in the State to date and will certainly be of benefit to bus services operating in the corridor.
The Navan rail project provides for the re-opening of the rail line from Dublin to Navan in two phases. Phase 1 involves reopening 7.5 kilometres of track from Clonsilla to Pace and the development of a major park + ride facility. An Bord Pleanála granted a Railway Order in respect of this phase earlier this year and construction is expected to commence by the end of 2008. In addition, Iarnród Éireann is currently studying route options in respect of the second phase which will extend the line from Pace to Navan. My Department is also in the process of completing a Sustainable Transport and Travel Action Plan that will, among other things, address the measures necessary to reduce carbon emissions in the transport sector.
