Bus Éireann says it is not economically sustainable for it to continue a number of routes which may soon be cut.

Fifteen towns and villages could be left without a bus service to Dublin - including routes 5 and 7 from Dublin to Cork and Waterford by the end of March.

While a further service - the route 21 from Athlone to Westport - is also under threat.

Between all three routes, some 198 services a day are provided. That will fall to 105 if the cuts go ahead.

Bus Éireann says it is losing thousands of euro every day because of poor passenger numbers on the services.

It says the government must subsidise the routes if they are to be saved.

Spokesperson Nicola Cooke told Collette Fitzpatrick - filling in for Jonathan Healy on Newstalk Lunchtime - that they need to turn a profit.

Paul Melia is the environment correspondent with the Irish Independent. He outlined the plans to Newstalk Breakfast earlier.