Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I think the Acting Chairman will recognise that we operate on the basis of good faith here and we accept the privilege that has been bestowed upon us by the public. I think it would be an outrageous situation if the chief executive of Bus Éireann, the representative of the company, is with us today, when we are on the verge of a strike during which tens of thousands of people will be discommoded, and we do not enter into a dialogue. I do not expect Mr. Nolan to say something that he had not intended to. I expect him to be briefed, as he would be as chief executive, and I think it would assist in the process so that we do not end up with so many people being discommoded. I ask the Acting Chairman to consider what he has said. I will make it a formal proposal. I prefer not to have to go down that route and put it to a vote but if the Acting Chairman forces me, I will. If he accepts the proposal that I am making, I think we can do it in a respectful way that seeks to have a discussion or dialogue around an important issue.