Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Once again, the Minister for Transport does not issue public transport licences. That is not his function. The NTA does so on the basis of the law, regulations and certain criteria. I do not know why it refused that licence. From what the Deputy tells me, there is not an alternative service available. Sometimes it will refuse an application if an existing Bus Éireann service is available. The Deputy has indicated that there is not such a service. I will certainly get my office to make inquiries with the NTA as to why the licence was refused.

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