Denis Naughten
Ceist:1259 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if he will appoint a regulator to oversee bus competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16676/02]
Written Answers. - Public Transport.
The Government consultation paper, A New Institutional and Regulatory Framework for Public Transport, published in September 2000, set out proposals for institutional and regulatory reform of the public transport system. One of the key proposals in this paper was the establishment of an independent market regulatory function for public transport. I favour the introduction of independent regulation.
I am having a round of meetings with the social partners and other interested parties. I will be considering their views and consulting further with the Public Transport Partnership Forum prior to finalising my proposals for Government on regulatory reform.