Enda Kenny
Ceist:596 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the situation regarding a child who gets hurt on a bus that does not hold an operator’s licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2084/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 26 January 2005
Ceisteanna (532)
Freagraí scríofa
An applicant for a road passenger transport operator's licence is required to satisfy the Minister that, before being granted the licence, he or she is of "good repute" and "appropriate financial standing" and satisfies the condition as to "professional competence". In considering whether an applicant is of "good repute", I am required to have regard to any conviction which the applicant is required to disclose. Such convictions include offences under the Road Traffic Acts and Road Transport Acts.
It is an offence to operate bus services involving buses carrying at least nine people without holding a road passenger transport operator's licence. An operator is liable to prosecution for such an offence. Any injury to a passenger on a bus is a matter, in the first instance, concerning the passenger and the owner of the bus.