Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Transport when a decision will be made on the two applications for bus operating licences submitted by South Dublin County Council. [38855/05]

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 provide bus services on specific routes within the State. In accordance with long standing practice, details of all applications received in my Department remain confidential until a decision is made. In this particular case, the local authority concerned is not in a position to provide the necessary facilities to support the services they envisage. Once these facilities are in place, my Department will be able to give a decision on the matter.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Transport the details of the funding and conditions of the initiatives proposed under Transport 21 to foster the growth of sustainable transport. [38874/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Transport 21 will provide funding for a number of pilot sustainable transport initiatives to facilitate the mainstreaming of sustainability criteria into transport investment decision-making and to make cleaner, more environmentally-friendly vehicles available. I intend that these pilot projects will test biofuel and hybrid-electric technologies, and eco-driving techniques in public transport, the haulage industry and taxis. Details regarding the level of funding for, and the conditions applying to, pilot projects will be announced at a later stage following the completion of consultations with interested parties.

The inclusion of these projects is but one of the sustainable aspects of Transport 21. The investment framework also provides for a major rebalancing of investment in favour of public transport, which will see public transport capacity almost double over the period of this investment programme thereby facilitating modal shift to public transport.