Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thought the Minister had said it. If that were the case, the matter would be sorted out fairly easily. We know that the Expressway service is not subject to the PSO.

There are three or four possibilities, including cutting costs, increasing fares or withdrawing services. The two sides will negotiate with that framework in the background. At what point do the parties get into a discussion about non-viable routes, which are causing the problem? Who negotiates that particular aspect, as it is not on the table? If there are routes that are not viable but a service and connectivity must be maintained, does it come under the role of the Minister or the National Transport Authority, NTA? Where does it fit into the equation?