Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 309: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding an application by Bus Éireann for a licence to extend a bus service (details supplied). [27468/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The initiation or alteration of a bus service by Bus Éireann is subject to compliance with a requirement to give 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.

Where proposed services by the Company are deemed to be in competition with services that are the subject of a licence held by a private bus operator issued under the Road Transport Act, 1932, Bus Éireann is required to obtain my consent under section 25 of the Transport Act 1958 before it can introduce such services.

My Department received a proposal from Bus Éireann on 20th August 2007 for changes to its Route 226. Following an examination of the proposal, my Department deemed that the proposal would give rise to competition with an existing licensed service. Accordingly, my Department advised Bus Éireann on 18th May 2009 that an application in accordance with Section 25 of the Transport Act, 1958 was required. Such an application has not been received to date.