Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

If Bus Éireann loses the business in Waterford, it will not expect drivers in Waterford to relocate to Dublin. It seems to be a rushed decision by the Minister to try to quell the strike. It has not been properly though out, no more than the privatisation agenda has been properly thought out. The long-term implications for Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus are that they will end up with a higher cost base which will be used against them as they face into the next round of competitive tendering.

The legislation provided for the direct award in line with the appropriate activity the NTA has put in place for Bus Éireann, with service level agreements, value for money audits and all of that, but, unfortunately, this is just this Government driving a privatisation agenda and the Labour Party has gotten off scot-free.