Seamus Brennan
Ceist:182 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the plans, if any, he has to increase competition in the bus industry, both in cities and in the country.[3782/95]
Written Answers - Competition in Transport Industry.
Alan M. Dukes
Ceist:219 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the proposals, if any, he has to introduce a Bill providing for the liberalisation of the provisions governing private bus services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3908/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 219 together.
Proposals to replace the Road Transport Act, 1932, were formulated in my Department during 1991-92 on the basis that the 1932 Act is in need of updating to provide for the development of the bus industry and meet the requirements of the travelling public. The proposals envisage the extension of competition within the passenger road transport area on a regulated, orderly and phased basis.
The Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications has asked me to assume direct responsibility for evaluating the regulatory position and bringing forward new proposals.
Deputies will, of course, appreciate that proposals of a regulatory nature in any sector must take full account of the impact of planned investment in that sector. Accordingly, in reviewing the proposals already prepared in my Department, I will have regard to the plans for major investment on public transport infrastructure and services in Dublin and throughout the rest of the country in the context of the National Development Plan and Operational Programme for Transport 1994-99.
I can assure Deputies that there will be a full process of consultation with all sides of the public transport sector before any new proposals are finalised by myself and the Minister for submission to Government.