Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 3 Jul 2003

Vol. 570 No. 4

Written Answers. - Public Transport.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

290 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself that a company (details supplied) is complying with all conditions of its licence in regard to picking up passengers at designated points only; the procedures in place to ensure that such conditions are complied with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19237/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The company in question holds licences from my Department for the operation of bus passenger services between Leopardstown and Dublin Airport and between Ballsbridge and Dublin Airport. The licence for the Leopardstown to Dublin Airport service, allows the company to pick up passengers at selected stops between Leopardstown and RTE in Donnybrook with a non – stop operation thereafter to Dublin Airport.

The Ballsbridge to Dublin Airport licence allows the company to pick up passengers at designated stops in the city centre with a non-stop operation thereafter to Dublin Airport. The Department received a complaint that the company, on its Leopardstown to Dublin Airport service was picking up passengers between RTE and Dublin Airport in apparent breach of the licence for this route. The complaint was the subject of on-the-spot monitoring by officers of my Department. The inspections confirmed that the Leopardstown to Dublin Airport service was not operating in full compliance with the licence conditions.

My Department has taken this matter up with the operator concerned. The operator has pointed out the since these two services converge and follow the same route from Ballsbridge to Dublin Airport, their operation is not as efficient as it could be. The operator has applied to the Department for an amendment to both licences in order to regularise the position. The operator has been requested to comply fully with the conditions of the existing Leopardstown to Dublin Airport licence pending the processing of the applications for amendment.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

291 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport if a firm (details supplied) is licensed to operate a bus service between Galway and Shannon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such a service is in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19238/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Dáil Question No. 617 on 10 June 2003 and to my statement before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport on 25 June, 2003.

This matter is the subject of ongoing correspondence between the operator concerned, my Department and the Attorney General's office. Based on the legal advice received, the operator has been informed that unless the promotion and operation of the service in question ceases, the matter will be placed in the hands of the Chief State Solicitor's office.