Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine when the application by the private bus operator for a new service from Swords to Dublin city via the Dublin Port tunnel will be finalised and the new service commenced; the way the Dublin Bus application for services to north Dublin via Dublin Port tunnel is progressing; and the time frame for completion. [21470/07]

Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the necessary procedures to facilitate the use of Dublin Port tunnel by Dublin Bus for its services from the Fingal, north Dublin region; and the expected time frame involved. [21471/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together.

The Dublin Port Tunnel is currently being used by Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and a number of private operators, resulting in significant time savings for commuters. In the case of Dublin Bus in particular, the 142 service is using the Tunnel and my Department is open to authorising additional services through the Tunnel, given the benefits it offers. However, where a proposed bus service through the Tunnel is likely to conflict with a prior application for a similar service, my Department follows its normal Departmental procedures and this is the case in relation to the Route 41X where my Department considered that the proposal from Dublin Bus conflicted with a prior application from a private operator for services on or along the route in question.

On the 22nd March, 2007, Dublin Bus notified my Department of its proposal to re-route four of its existing Route 41X services from Swords via the Port Tunnel. At that time, my Department advised the Company that the proposal was in conflict with a prior application from a private operator for a high frequency bus service from Swords via the Port Tunnel to the City Centre. Therefore, in accordance with normal Departmental procedures, Dublin Bus was advised that a decision on its proposal was being deferred until the prior application was finalised. Dublin Bus is aware of these procedures.

Consideration of the prior application has been completed. My Department is in contact with the applicant and it is expected that the licence will issue shortly. It is a condition of all licences that the services authorised must be in operation in their entirety within four months from the date of issue of the licence.