Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has plans to provide additional buses to the Cork area to improve public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17750/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has approved total funding of €73m (in September 2006 and April 2007) towards the purchase of 235 new buses by Bus Éireann. I understand that Bus Éireann is in the process of taking delivery of the new buses on a phased basis. The deployment of buses, including the new buses, is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have no function in the matter.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason he has decided to order the creation of a new single brand for all public transport services in the Greater Dublin Area; the amount in total this new branding plan will cost; if the Dublin Transport Authority will be the lead agency in rolling out the new branding project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17315/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 includes a provision requiring the Authority to promote the use of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area including the implementation of a single brand to be used by public transport operators providing services under contract to the Authority.

The aim is to establish a clear, shared brand across the various public transport modes — Luas, metro, bus, suburban rail — which will clearly establish that each mode is part of an integrated public transport network. In London, for example, the various public transport modes operate under the Transport for London brand.

It will be a matter for the Dublin Transport Authority to develop an appropriate brand for the Greater Dublin Area and decide on its detailed implementation. However, I do not consider that the proposed provision in the Bill will require the immediate repainting of the entire public transport fleet as has been suggested by some commentators.