Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Transport the position with respect to the use of the Dublin Port tunnel by the 41X Dublin Bus service; the applications currently under consideration by him in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36541/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The initiation or alteration of a bus service by Dublin Bus 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, Dublin Bus is required to obtain my consent under section 25 of the Transport Act 1958 before the Company can introduce such services. On 12th June 2008, approval was granted by my Department to Dublin Bus to operate its morning 41X services from Swords to Belfield via the Port Tunnel.

Dublin Bus notified my Department on 8th July 2008 of its proposal to operate the existing 41X services from the City Centre to Swords in the evening via the Port Tunnel. A decision on this proposal has been deferred until such time as prior applications in relation to this route are finalised. Applications are dealt with on a first come first served basis and Dublin Bus is aware of these procedures generally and have been advised of the position in respect of this particular application. Details of applications are treated as confidential until they are finalised.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Transport the position with respect to the re-location of the 37 bus terminus to the Blanchardstown Town Centre or elsewhere; the applications currently under consideration by him in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36542/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The initiation or alteration of a bus service by Dublin Bus 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, Dublin Bus 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 Dublin Bus on 1st May, 2008 to alter the terminus of Route 37. It was deemed that this proposal would give rise to competition with an existing licensed service and accordingly, Dublin Bus were advised on 9th June, 2008 that an application in accordance with Section 25 of the Transport Act, 1958 was required. Dublin Bus subsequently submitted a revised proposal for this route. This was considered by my Department and again it was determined that this amended proposal would also give rise to competition with an existing licensed service. The Company were again advised that an application in accordance with Section 25 of the Transport Act, 1958 was required should the Company wish to pursue the introduction of this revised service.

A revised proposal regarding this route was received from Dublin Bus on 3rd April 2009 and this alteration was approved by my Department on the same date. The Company submitted a further notification regarding this route on 12th August 2009, which is currently under consideration in my Department.