The Road Transport Act, 1932 provides the statutory basis for regulating the provision of passenger road services by private bus operators. Any private operator providing a passenger road service is required to hold an annual passenger licence for that service. My Department was made aware that the operator in question commenced a passenger road service without obtaining a passenger licence in breach of section 7 of the Road Transport Act, 1932. The service is also in direct competition with an existing licensed service. My Department requested the operator to immediately cease the operation of the illegal service. As the operator chose to ignore my Department's request the case has been referred to the Garda Síochána for appropriate attention.