Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Transport the funding allocated towards the roll-out of green routes and quality bus corridors (details supplied) in County Cork. [26567/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has been providing funding for a number of Green Routes (bus priority routes) in Cork over the past number of years. The Carrickaline/Ringaskiddy Route, which includes a Donnybrook Hill spur, is situated partly in the City Council and partly in the County Council area. The two Councils have agreed that for such Green Routes the City Council will undertake the actual works on both sides of the administrative boundary. For this reason, all of my Department's funding for this Green Route goes to the City Council.

In the current year, my Department allocated €2.4 million for Phase 1 of the Carrickaline/Ringaskiddy Green Route. This Phase covers approximately 40% of the full intended Route, including all of the City Council area section and a part of the County Council section, including the Donnybrook Hill spur. I understand that the County Council hopes to finalise the Part VIII planning process before the end of the year, and that work on the County Council part of the Route will begin some time in the new year.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Transport the details of a licence issued by his Department to Bus Éireann for a planned new bus route (details supplied) in County Cork including number of services per day and details of the commencement of the service. [26568/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Bus Éireann is not subject to licensing in accordance with the provisions of the 1932 Road Transport Act, as amended. However, the initiation or alteration of a bus service by the Company is subject to compliance with the necessary regulatory requirement of giving advance notice to my Department and to compliance with the provisions of Section 25 of the Transport Act 1958 concerning competition with licensed private operators.

On 4th May 2007, Bus Éireann notified my Department of its proposal to introduce a new Cork City Route 16 to operate between Cork City Centre and Mount Oval. On the 14th May, 2007, my Department requested further clarification from the Company in order to consider the proposal. This was not received. My Department contacted Bus Eireann again on 24th August, 2007 and to date no clarification has been received. The introduction of services once noted by my Department would be an operational matter for Bus Éireann.