Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Transport the list of applications currently on file with the Department for a new bus route licence in Dublin; the details of the operator, the route, the date of application, the decision and the length of time taken to come to a decision in each case of application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4011/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Transport Act 1932 provides the legislative basis for entry to the public transport market by private bus operators. In accordance with this legislation, private bus operators apply to my Department for passenger licences to operate coach and bus services within the State. However, to protect the commercial interests of applicants for licences, their names and routes sought remain confidential until a decision is made.

Under section 24 of the Transport Act 1958, Dublin Bus is not required to hold a licence under the Road Transport Act 1932. However, Dublin Bus is required by ministerial direction to make notifications to my Department of proposed new services or proposed changes to existing services, at least four weeks prior to their introduction.

My Department has on hand two applications from private bus operators for new bus routes in the Dublin area. These were received on 10 June 2004 and 21 December 2004, respectively. There are also on hand three notifications from Dublin Bus for new bus routes. Two were received on 21 December 2004 and one was received on 25 January 2005. The applications and notifications indicated above are being processed by my Department.