Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Question 327: To ask the Minister for Transport if a review of the use of bus lanes with a view to extending their use to multi-occupancy vehicles and to motorcycles, especially in areas in high congestion will be considered. [38017/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The use of bus lanes is provided for in the Road Traffic (Traffic & Parking) Regulations 1997 and 1998. The primary purpose of bus lanes is to facilitate and promote bus based public transport. The regulations, which have national application, generally limit the use of bus lanes to buses and, in the case of with-flow bus lanes, to cyclists also. Having regard to the role of taxis in providing an on-street immediate hire service, an exemption to the restriction relating to the use of with-flow bus lanes is allowed in respect of taxis when they are being used in the course of business.

Many representations have been received by my Department seeking to extend access to bus lanes in relation to a wide range of other road users including hackney and limousine operators and motorcyclists. A review of the access issue was carried out in 2001 and took account of the physical characteristics of the vehicles seeking access, including motorcycles.

As part of that review the views of the director of traffic in Dublin City Council, the Dublin Transportation Office and the Garda Síochána were sought. All of those bodies suggested that there should be no change to the current position. That remains the position.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for Transport the licensed or approved bus routes and times serving Ballybrit industrial estate in Galway; the locations where such details are published; if other notifications or applications are pending; if so the number and the length of time they are outstanding; the steps he is taking to provide an adequate public bus service to this estate where several thousand persons are employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38049/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has no applications on hand from private bus operators for services to Ballybrit industrial estate.

With regard to the State bus companies, the day-to-day operation of bus services by Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann is a matter for the individual companies. However, since 10 January 2001 both Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann are required by ministerial direction to notify my Department of proposed new services or proposed changes to existing services at least four weeks prior to their introduction. My Department has not received any notification from Bus Éireann for new services to the Ballybrit industrial estate.

However, any application or notification for new bus services to the area would be looked at favourably by my Department subject to compliance with the necessary regulatory requirements of the Road Transport Act 1932 and with the provisions of section 25 of the Transport Act 1958 concerning competition with licensed private operators.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 329: To ask the Minister for Transport his response to correspondence on the Bus Éireann airport service from a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [38068/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The matters raised in the correspondence received in my office from the individual named are operational matters for Bus Éireann and I have no function in the matter. The correspondence was forwarded to Bus Éireann for its attention. The individual was advised of this position by my office.