Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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85. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine transport links between Tullamore and Athlone in view that since the termination of a route by a private bus operator there are only two Bus Éireann services per day linking these towns. [6700/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.

The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the NTA, and I have therefore referred the question to the NTA for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.