Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Let me make it totally and utterly clear.

Deputy Imelda Munster talked about a race to the bottom. I am as determined as she is that there will be no race to the bottom. She can throw around the rhetoric as much as she likes, but let me say specifically - she can hold me to account as often as she likes - that I do not wish to see a race to the bottom, nor am I promoting one. The company has stated it has no such intention. The unions and the company have stated there are inefficiencies and efficiency improvements and that they must be addressed.

I have stated there are inefficiencies which must be addressed. I want a solution which does not push any of the workforce into any of the rhetorical positions being suggested.

The subvention is lower than I would like it to be and lower than in some comparable transport companies in Europe. I would like it to be higher. It might have been more helpful if the committee had acknowledged the fact that we had turned the corner on subventions in recent years. There was a terrible period for these transport companies after 2009 or 2010. Subventions are actually going up, although not fast enough and there are financial pressures that make it very difficult.

The free travel scheme is being addressed as a matter of urgency and we should have a result in the next few weeks which will benefit the transport companies. While it is not part of the industrial relations issue, I am working towards this in order that there will be a benefit to the transport companies.