Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 5

Written Answers. - Private Bus Operators.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

274 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the number of private bus operators; the name of each company operating under licence from him on 31 December 1992 in each of the counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal; if each company has a current transport operator's licence, a current licence for the route specified on each application and as operated and public liability insurance cover; if these statutory requirements are being supervised by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen)

All operators of services for hire or reward using vehicles suitable for carrying more than nine persons including the driver are required to hold a Road Passenger Transport Operator's Licence from my Department. The number of licensed operators based in each of the four counties mentioned by the Deputy as at 19 February, 1993 is indicated in column (a) of the following table. The remaining columns of the table indicate the number of such operators who, in addition, hold licences or authorisations in respect of specific services.

Number of operators currently holding:

	(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)
	Road Passenger Transport Operator's Licence(¹)	Occasional Passenger Licence(²)	Annual Passenger Licence(²)	International Authorisation(³)
Louth	34	1	1	1
Monaghan	23	0	0	0
Cavan	34	1	1	0
Donegal	83	3	0	2

(1) Issued pursuant to EC regulations governing access to the profession of road passenger transport operator.

(2) Issued pursuant to the Road Transport Act, 1932 permitting the operation of specific national road passenger services.

(3) Issued pursuant to EC regulations governing international road passenger services.

A register of holders of Road Passenger Transport Operator's Licences is available for inspection in my Department.

It is not Departmental policy however, to publish information relating to specific licences or the conditions, including designated routes, attached to individual passenger licences and authorisations. Licences to operate specific services are issued on the basis that all of the conditions attached thereto, including details of authorised routes, will be strictly observed by the operators. It should also be noted that under existing regulations, applicants for Road Passenger Transport Operator's Licences are required to hold a current Certificate of Insurance issued under the Road Transport Acts, 1961 to 1989.

My Department supervises the operation of the bus licensing systems and if it discovers that infringements of the conditions attached to the relevant licences are occurring, appropriate action is taken.