asked the Minister for Transport the number of private bus operators licensed by his Department charging fares (a) above, (b) equal to and (c) below the standard CIE provincial bus fares; and the average fare charged by such operators as a proportion of the standard CIE provincial bus fare.

Except in the case of annual renewable passenger licences, it is not the practice to regulate the fares of private bus operators.

Under the system of regulation which applies to holders of annual renewable licences, the operators are free to vary their charges as they wish within prescribed maxima which are higher than CIE fares. The actual fares charged are not monitored on a basis which would enable me to give the Deputy the information sought.

Surely it would be in the public interest, and essential for the Minister's information, if the charges were monitored? The Minister can hardly regard the present situation as satisfactory.

The scheduled operators — there are about 22 bus operators providing some 71 scheduled services — operate within the maxima permitted.

Would the Minister consider monitoring the charges in question?

Is the Deputy referring to the charges of the scheduled operators or the charges of all those who operate bus services, privately and otherwise?

If possible I should like to know the charges of all operators but if that is too much to ask for I would be obliged to receive the information in relation to the scheduled operators.

They operate within the maxima laid down which is a certain percentage of one penny per mile over the CIE fare. They operate within that limit.

What is the actual charge, not the maxima laid down?

The actual charge cannot be above a certain figure laid down in the licence schedule.

Will the Minister please give me the actual figures being charged?

For individual operators?

Yes.

For each scheduled service they apply for?

Yes.

It would be an enormous job of work.

If the Minister gave us the rate per mile it would suffice.

I am happy to give that information. It may not exceed .89 of a penny per mile more than CIE fares.

I did not ask what the fare may not exceed; I asked for the actual figure being charged.

I am calling the next question.

Will the Minister tell the House what they are charging?

I have called the next question.