Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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87. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will re-instate the Dublin to Galway direct airport service stopping in Athlone. [44538/23]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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91. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will re-instate the Galway to Dublin airport route via Athlone. [44567/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 91 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of those services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

Following further clarification from the Deputy, I understand that this query is in relation to Dublin to Galway route that was formerly operated by a commercial bus operator, Citylink.

As a commercial operator, any decisions taken by Citylink regarding routes scheduling and timetabling, are a matter for the company.

As the NTA is also the licensing authority for the commercial bus sector, I have also forwarded the Deputy's question, to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.