Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Transport when he will introduce 100 private sector buses to the Dublin bus market as promised by him in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6626/07]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made in relation to expanding the bus services operated by the private sector in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6605/07]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Transport when the 100 buses for Dublin, which are ring-fenced for the private sector, will come on stream. [6483/07]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Transport his proposals with regard to the introduction of private bus operators into the Dublin bus market; the timetable for proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6639/07]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Transport when he expects the 100 private sector operated buses to be fully deployed and operating in Dublin; and the specific routes they will be operating on. [6542/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 140, 147, 150 and 155 together.

There are currently in place two regimes governing the approval of bus services — one for private operators and one for Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann and I am currently considering their replacement with one regime, in the context of replacing of the Road Transport Act 1932. As I indicated in my statement of 28 September 2006, the precise arrangements for the awarding of franchises to private operators in the Dublin market will be dealt with in this context as will the need for additional buses for the Dublin network over and above the 100 extra buses being provided by Dublin Bus.

In the meantime, the licensing provisions under the existing legislative regime will continue to be applied and licences will continue to be granted to private bus operators under the Road Transport Act 1932, as amended.