I propose to take Questions Nos. 250, 251, 257 and 258 together.
The national development plan, NDP, provides for the purchase by Dublin Bus of 275 additional buses and 500 replacement buses over the period to the end of 2006.
I am informed by Dublin Bus that since 1997 the company has allocated a total of €69 million for the purchase of new additional and €127 million of new replacement buses. These buses have been funded under the NDP from a combination of Exchequer grants, CIE borrowings and own resources, and EU funds. In 2003 and 2004, €22 million and €9.3 million, respectively, has been allocated for new buses. The NDP provides for the purchase by Dublin Bus of 275 additional buses over the period of the NDP to the end of 2006. To date 93 additional buses have been purchased by the company.