Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will now consider the current financial situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the rural transport programme. This is the second in a series of meetings this committee has convened to examine the very challenging situation developing at Bus Éireann. Last week we heard from acting chief executive officer, CEO, Ray Hernan, who set out the challenges as he views them and from Irish Rural Link which expressed concerns about the possibility of diminishing bus services in rural areas.

Today's is an important meeting on the current financial situation at Bus Éireann, the future of the Expressway Service and the vital role of the rural transport programme. I am delighted to welcome the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, and I thank him for giving us his time. I invite him to make his opening statement. Given the time constraints, could he please limit it to five minutes and anything not covered can be taken as read because the presentation has already been circulated?