Changes in Bus Éireann services are an operational matter for the company. However, since 10 January 2001, Bus Éireann is required to notify my Department of proposed new services or proposed changes to existing services at least four weeks prior to their introduction. The sole purpose of this notification procedure is to ensure a level playing field between public and private operators from a market regulatory perspective. In considering there notifications my Department makes no judgment on the operational merits of the proposed service changes.
Bus Éireann has been in correspondence with my Department about a number of proposed changes to their services between Letterkenny and Dublin among others. A number of the changes sought were noted by my Department on 16 June and 30 July. Bus Éireann recently notified my Department of a number of additional proposed changes to services and these are currently being processed by my Department.