Mr. Dermot O'Leary:

I am not surprised at Senator Barrett's view. In fairness, he has been very consistent over many years in his attacks on public transport workers. I have long given up apologising for representing working people. They provide a service. Listening to the likes of Senator Barrett, one would think these people do not pay any taxes. Our members are PAYE workers. They draw a pension of €130, €120 or €115 after 40 or 45 years' service. We are pragmatic and not one-dimensional like some people. We are not afraid of competition. We want a national debate and a plan put in place. We want recognition of people's service and the network which has been built up over many years. I expect nothing else from the Competition Authority, which has a monopoly on views on competition and if that is not a contradiction, I do not know what is.