asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the rejection of the granting of a licence for a summer season coach service to County Mayo from London; if he is aware of the loss this will be to tourism in the west of Ireland; if he will reconsider his decision so as to allow this service to operate during this tourist season; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - London-Mayo Coach Service.
577.
I assume that the service to which the Deputy refers is the shuttle service proposed by a British firm for the London-Westport route.
The EEC regulations which provide for such services define shuttle services as "services whereby, by means of repeated outward and return journeys, previously formed groups of passengers are carried from a single place of departure to a single destination. Each group of passengers who have made the outward journey together shall subsequently be carried back to the place of departure."
The regulations provide also for up to three stopping places, in addition to the place of departure, to pick up passengers on the outward journey in the country of origin of the service. In the country of destination, the service is entitled to set down passengers at up to three stopping places in addition to the place of destination. Corresponding stops are provided for on return journeys.
The application by Golden Boy Coaches cited single and return fares whereas shuttle services are confined to operations on a round trip basis and do not provide for single journeys. In addition, the application did not conform with the requirements in relation to stopping places. In the circumstances, it was not possible to agree to the grant of the application.
Should the company wish to submit an application which conforms with the regulations, I would be willing to reconsider the matter.