Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am not in a position to say how it will be done but I will ask the Department to respond to the Senator. Subsidies are paid to Dublin Bus and under section 25(1) in such circumstances it is not allowed to compete with another operator. If it wishes to provide a service that is not subsidised, it must submit a proposal. Otherwise, there is the alternative of not going into competition. Those are the two options.