Dáil Question
No:  _______

To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for the introduction of bus competition outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

- Denis Naughten.
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 23rd March, 2004.
Ref No:   9059/04

Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Seamus Brennan, T.D.)

REPLY

I set out my policy proposals for public transport reform in Statements to the Public Transport Partnership Forum in November 2002 and the Oireachtas Committee on Transport in June 2003.  It is my intention that all public transport outside the Greater Dublin Area be subject to independent economic regulation. In this regard, I have stated previously that it is now my intention to establish an independent procurement and regulatory body for public transport on a national basis.

I have considered at length the many comprehensive submissions to my Department following the publication of the consultants report commissioned by my Department, entitled Regulation of Bus Services Outside the Greater Dublin Area. It is my intention to bring forward detailed proposals in the near future having regard to the on-going discussions on public transport reform with the CIE unions.