Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the loss of buses to Dublin Bus routes (details supplied) due to the lack of funding from his Department; the action he is taking to prevent this; the reason for the continued delay in providing funding; the dates since he became Minister on which he met with Dublin Bus managers on the restructuring changes that he proposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7814/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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There has been significant investment made to date under the national development plan in acquiring new buses for Dublin Bus. As a consequence, the capacity of the fleet has been increased by more than 25%. The management of Dublin Bus is currently examining ways of maximizing the utilisation of the bus fleet, in light of the significant investment made to date under the NDP in other modes such as Luas and the DART upgrade, and I am awaiting the outcome of this review. It would, therefore, be premature to make any decisions on further investment in additional capacity. In addition, I am also of the view that both public and private companies have a role to play in meeting the expanding transport requirements of Dublin.

At a meeting with the chairman and management of Dublin Bus on 12 November 2004, the company outlined for me its proposals for the future development of its market. No specific proposals on the restructuring were discussed at the meeting. Discussions on the bus market are continuing between officials of my Department and the management of Dublin Bus.