Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Transport the position in relation to Bus Éireann's eastern regional expansion plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30118/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my response to his question No 102 which was answered on 15th November 2007. The provision of public bus services by Bus Éireann on specific routes to serve particular areas is an operational matter for the company. However the company is required to notify my Department in advance of any proposals to introduce services on new routes or alter existing services. I can confirm that my Department received a notification from Bus Eireann for a service from Tullow to Dublin. There is no other application from Bus Éireann in respect of services to or from Tullow.

Section 25(1) of the Transport Act 1958 provides that the consent of the Minister for Transport is required where State companies wish to introduce or alter a passenger road service where such service would compete with a licensed passenger road service provided by a private bus operator. In accordance with section 25(2), the decision made by the Minister under section 25(1) is final.

My Department concluded that in this instance the proposed service would compete with an existing service licensed by a private operator in accordance with the Road Transport Act 1932. Therefore, on 30 April 2007 my Department informed Bus Éireann that should they wish to pursue the introduction of this proposed service, the Company would be required to submit an application under Section 25 of the Road Transport Act, 1958. To date no application in accordance with Section 25 of the Road Transport Act, 1958 has been received from Bus Éireann in respect of the proposed service.