Ms Anne Graham:

With regard to the timeframe in terms of making the changes, the service the Deputy refers to is the 115, which is a contracted route that Bus Éireann provides. As the Deputy will be aware, we have been working with Bus Éireann to try to develop that route and further changes are being proposed to make the service better for the customers on that route.

In terms of a licensed service, we set down guidelines we try to achieve in terms of amendments to licensed services and try to meet our target of eight weeks for approvals of amendments to those licences. Some of them can be quite complicated in terms of assessments and the process may take a little longer.

If Bus Éireann decides to withdraw some of its Expressway services we have indicated that we will try to ensure that if any replacement services are required, they will be in place before Bus Éireann withdraws its services.

We would not agree there is over-capacity in terms of the routes. Providing the seat capacity that the Deputy estimates, which is over 100%, and having a 60% passenger journey growth is a very successful result in terms of public transport delivery.