Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 600: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding a specific route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33299/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The initiation or alteration of a bus service by Bus Eireann 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 Eireann is required to obtain my consent under section 25 of the Transport Act 1958 before the Company can introduce such services.

My Department received a proposal from Bus Eireann in June 2007 for changes to its Route 133 service from Wicklow to Dublin Airport to include a pick up and set down point in Bray. Following an initial examination, which included consultation with Bus Eireann, my Department concluded that the proposal would give rise to competition with an existing licensed service. Accordingly, my Department advised Bus Eireann on 10th November, 2007 that an application in accordance with Section 25 of the Transport Act, 1958 was required. No application has since been received by my Department.