Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 April 2011
436 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the tourism services provided by Dublin Bus are considered to be a strategic national asset; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7617/11]
View answerDublin Bus operates the Airlink service connecting the Airport with the city centre and also Dublin Bus Sightseeing Tours. These are commercial services and are separate from the Public Service Obligation (PSO) services. They are operated in competition with private operators who provide similar services in the Dublin area. These commercial services, while making a small annual profit, are only a small part of the company's overall activity and surpluses are used to offset costs of the PSO services. As such, they would not be considered a strategic national asset. I have not been presented with any proposal to sell these services. The Dublin Bus network of services are, of course, an important asset to the city's attractiveness as a city to live in, work and visit and are regularly used by tourists visiting Dublin.
