Mr. Gerry Mullins:

I think everything is on hold because of a court case. The judge is due to deliver his verdict on 30 October 2012. That will determine whether Bus Éireann holds on to its contract or if it will go to tender. To a certain extent, it is not on the agenda today. I would be delighted to have the opportunity to appear before the committee again to discuss it at great length.

Deputy Naughten raised the issue of social responsibility and suggested that for every express route, one should have responsibility to operate local services. The answer is "yes", but it is an issue for the NTA. As I stated earlier when responding to Senator Mooney, there are two markets and it is unfair on the people in the small town if the express bus goes by and they are not served. It is also unfair on the person who has a long distance to travel if they are made travel to every small town. They are two different markets. It is up to the NTA to decide how to license them. We are happy to provide either service. We would like to provide both services. The NTA, as the referee of the games, must address that.