Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine if his Department has received a request from Bus Éireann for the operation of a more frequent service between Rosslare, Wexford and Dublin; when a decision will be made on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19901/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department received a notification from Bus Eireann on 22nd January 2007 to amend and enhance the level of services on the No. 2 route from Rosslare to Dublin via Wexford. Bus Eireann was advised in April 2007 that certain elements of their proposals relating to late night and early morning services did not conflict with other applications or existing licensed services and that the Company could, therefore, proceed to introduce those elements of the service.

However, as regards the rest of the proposed service changes, the company was advised that there were prior applications on hands for services on the same route and these, in accordance with standard practice, would have to be decided upon before the remainder of Bus Eireann's proposals could be considered.

In late August, Bus Eireann advised my Department that it proposed to operate via the Dublin Port Tunnel the services that were cleared by the Department in April. The company was advised on 6th September 2007 that my Department had no objection to the proposed change of route. I understand that the Company now intends to introduce these late night /early morning services in late October.

The remainder of Bus Eireann's proposed changes on the route are now being considered in the light of the recent amendment to an existing licensed service on the route and the issuing of a new licence to IP Passenger Services for a new regular bus service between Wexford and Dublin Airport.