Press Release: State aid: Commission invites Ireland to update compensation arrangements for school bus scheme; closes in-depth investigation into Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus

Following an in-depth investigation the European Commission on the 15 October 2014 had concluded that arrangements to compensate state-owned Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus, the two principal bus companies in Ireland, for the operation of bus services across Ireland and for the transport of schoolchildren, were put in place before the liberalisation of the EU bus sector when EU state aid rules were not yet applicable to this industry sector.

Following a complaint by a representative body for private bus companies in Ireland, the Coach Tourism and Transport Council, against the State-owned Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus, the Commission in July 2007 opened an in-depth investigation regarding a number of measures.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: Press Release/07/1116: Commission launches formal investigation into annual compensation payments, investment and training grants to Irish Bus and Dublin Bus http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-07-1116_en.htm

European Commission: RAPID: Press Release/08/1110: State aid: Commission adopts Regulation automatically approving aid for jobs and growth http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-08-1110_en.htm?locale=en

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