Vol. 566 No. 3
373 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the reason his Department has refused to give Bus Átha Cliath permission to extend the bus service to the new Tyrellstown development in Blanchardstown despite the application being made just one year ago. [12709/03]
374 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he will permit Bus Átha Cliath to immediately extend its service to Tyrellstown, Blanchardstown, in view of the growing population and the urgent need for a much more frequent bus service. [12710/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 374 together.
I refer the Deputy to the replies which I gave to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 360 and 361 on 15 April 2003. The following developments have taken place since that reply was given.
My Department wrote to Dublin Bus on 17 April 2003 stating that it could proceed with additional services on the existing 38C route that currently serves Tyrrelstown, as notified on 6 March 2003. On 28 April 2003 a notification was received from Dublin Bus requesting additional services on the existing 40D route. On 2 May 2003 my Department informed Dublin Bus that a decision on this notification was being deferred as the initiation or alteration of the service requested would give rise to competition with a proposed service for which a licence had already been sought by another operator. As indicated to Dublin Bus, my Department will revert to the company as soon as a decision has been made on the licence application.
