Vol. 521 No. 4
76 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the work programme and objectives of the Public Transport Partnership Forum; her views on whether environmental bodies should be included in the membership; and her assessment of the work of the forum to date. [17340/00]
The Public Transport Partnership Forum met for the first time on 9 June last. The forum was attended by representatives nominated from the four partnership pillars.
The objectives of the work programme are essentially as set out in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, that is, to provide a mechanism for consultation on public transport matters, particularly: the development of overall public transport policy; strategies for the development of the public transport system; public transport investment requirements, priorities and programmes; and mechanisms for the improved delivery of public transport services, infrastructure and facilities.
I understand that the inaugural meeting discussed but did not finalise a work programme for the forum but that this will be settled at the next meeting due to take place on 13 July next.
The forum decided at its inaugural meeting not to extend its membership beyond the social partnership pillars. It would not be appropriate for me at this point to seek to revisit the membership or role of the forum.
