Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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3. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on Bus Éireann's application to the National Transport Authority to reverse changes to the number two Wexford-Dublin route that serves Arklow, including the details of the changes requested in the application; the initial rationale for these changes; the reason they are now being reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23297/13]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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This question is about an Expressway commercial bus service. This is a commercial decision for Bus Éireann, as I am sure the Deputy is aware, and not one in which I have any role. However, I contacted the National Transport Authority for clarification, and the position is as follows. The NTA is responsible for securing the provision of public passenger transport services through public service contracts, where services cannot be provided on a commercial basis, and the licensing of public bus services, which are operated on a commercial basis. Bus Éireann’s Expressway route 2 is licensed by the NTA and the company has been granted amendments to the licence for this route. There is nothing to prevent Bus Éireann or any other licensed operator from applying to the NTA to amend the times or routes of these licensed services. Such applications are considered in accordance with the arrangements set out in the NTA’s guidelines for the licensing of public bus passenger services. There is no legislative framework for refusing an amendment where the NTA considers that there would be no impact either on any other commercial service or on any subsidised service by granting it. Accordingly, Bus Éireann’s decision to amend the timetable and the points served on this route is entirely a commercial matter for the operator. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for the update. I would not normally use a priority question for something like a single bus route. The reason I am bringing it up is that it is an issue for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, and for the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly. This is not just a question about a commercial route; it is issue of access to health care. The No. 2 bus goes to St. Vincent's University Hospital, which is the closest hospital for many people in the area for a wide range of health care issues. Last September, for commercial reasons, Bus Éireann decided to stop at St. Vincent's once a day, once going up and once going back. This caused a huge level of concern and panic in Arklow and on the route.

I have been engaged with the chief executive of Bus Éireann on this issue and he has gone as far as he can. Bus Éireann has responded to representations from me, other public representatives and the public, but he has gone as far as he can for the reason that has been given here - that this is a commercial route and is, therefore, nothing to do with the Minister and the Department. This is a case in which a subsidy is required. Many people are heavily dependent on this one bus route for job and health care reasons. I appreciate the Minister cannot give any commitment to subsidise the route now, but I ask that he acknowledge that this is not simply a commercial decision for Bus Éireann and that he undertake now to go back and look at whether there is a case - I strongly believe there is - for a subsidy.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I am glad to see Deputy Donnelly is interested in constituency issues. No doubt that is noted.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We thought he was above that. He keeps telling us he is anyway.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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That mistake will never be made in Deputy Ring's case. There is no doubt about that.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is amazing how it brings Deputy Donnelly down to the standard.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Deputy Donnelly is beginning to follow Deputy Ring's way of doing business. I did take the time to examine the changes that have taken place on this route. Decisions were made in early 2012 and some of them were amended on a number of occasions in May, August and September. Bus Éireann is even examining the introduction of new bus stops along the route and is engaging with local authorities on this. I know Deputy Donnelly is using it as an example of an issue. There is a distinction between commercial operation and PSO operation, and that is a pendulum that needs to be examined. In the overall scheme of things, the issue of PSO routes will have to be examined into the future and as part of that everything will be reassessed. Bus Éireann has made some changes on the route that deal positively with the issues the Deputy and many other public representatives had. It is monitoring it again. It has been pushed as far as it can be for the time being, but in the broader scheme of things it is a route that could be examined as part of a re-analysis of PSO routes.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for his response. As I said, I would not normally bring this up on the floor of the Dáil, but it is a very serious issue. It is a serious health care issue for many people in Arklow and along the route. They are not asking for the introduction of new stops - just the re-opening of stops that were removed about halfway up the N11. I appreciate the Minister's recognition that this could be examined as part of a broad PSO review. I ask for a slightly stronger commitment: that the Minister ask his officials to examine this specific route as a matter of urgency. This is a major issue for the people of Arklow. There are many concerned citizens. This is their only way of getting to St. Vincent's University Hospital, so it is an urgent issue. I ask the Minister to have his officials look specifically at this case.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I have no problem engaging with the officials and asking them to re-examine it. That is not an issue. A number of stops have been put in recently and they are looking at rejigging the stops. They are engaging with the local authorities on that. Maybe I will forward the information to Deputy Donnelly; he might not have all that detail. This is one of many routes that can be examined. We might look at a pilot scheme on a number of these to produce a timeframe for examining the whole PSO side of things with Bus Éireann. We will not be engaging directly with Bus Éireann on this issue at the moment. As the Deputy knows, it is tied up with other business, but we will do it in the future.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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By the end of the week will be grand.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I thank the Deputy for his confidence. I appreciate that.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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No problem.