Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department has made findings in relation to complaints by private operators of unfair competition from State operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2983/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently investigating 3 complaints made by private bus operators to my Department in relation to alleged unfair competition by State bus companies.

One of those complaints is the subject of an independent review arising from the settlement of High Court proceedings. The remaining cases are currently the subject of correspondence between the Department and the parties involved.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Transport the contact he has had with CIÉ and Dublin Bus in the past three months regarding proposed cutbacks in public transport services; if he has expressed an opinion on these cutbacks to CIÉ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2984/09]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Transport the official contact he has had from Green Party politicians regarding public transport cutbacks in the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2985/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 together.

Both my Department and I have had discussions with CIE and the CIE Companies in relation to the major challenges that they must address to restore their finances in the face of major economic difficulties which has led to declining demand for services in an increasing cost environment.

The Deloitte Report sets out a series of measures which are designed to enhance the role of the bus and, in my statement accompanying the release of the report last week, I indicated areas where the report had identified considerable scope within Dublin Bus to improve its services to customers, increase efficiencies and save money through, for example, redesigning the network, eliminating unnecessary service duplication and improving information to the customer. In the case of Bus Eireann, I identified areas where it could explore opportunities to further reduce costs and pursue new business opportunities.

The Deloitte Report is supporting the actions being taken by both companies to turn around their financial position which is not sustainable in the current environment and I have asked the companies to present to me their plans for the implementation of the recommendations in the report at an early date.

I am in regular contact with my Cabinet colleagues in the Green Party in relation to developments in public transport and the sustainability agenda.