Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Transport the strategy he is putting in place for when the fuel rebate is removed and private public transport operators struggle to remain in business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32672/08]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will reverse the decision to abolish the public transport fuel rebate; if not, if he will bring forward measures to replace this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32541/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 33 together.

The Finance Act 2008 provides for the removal of excise duty reliefs in the bus sector with effect from 1 November 2008. As this is in line with our EU obligations, there is no power to restore this scheme.