Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 510: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has responded to the request from a company (details supplied) to issue licences for two new routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33880/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

The two applications referred to by the Deputy were received in my Department, the first on the 18th July, 2006 and the second on the 1st August, 2006. Both applications were queued for processing based on the established practice that licence applications are dealt with on first come, first served basis.

Both applications are currently being processed in accordance with the Road Transport Act, 1932, in particular, section 11(3)(a) which states that the Minister must consider whether the service proposed is in the public interest having regard to the passenger road services and other forms of passenger transport available to the public on or in the neighbourhood of the route of the proposed service.

My Department has been in contact with the Company's representative regarding these applications, the details of which remain confidential in the interest of protecting the commercial confidentiality of the applicant. All licences once issued are available upon request from my Department.