Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I declare that I am a school bus contractor, as was my father was before me from 1956 onward. We have been involved in the business for 62 years. I am very proud to be involved in the transport of children to schools which is something I take very seriously.

The Chairman indicated that what we are discussing is the safety of the school transport bus fleet. That is what is on my agenda also. However, there are certain instances where school transport cannot be differentiated from bus operators providing other services. While we are dealing with what is on the agenda, all bus transport in whatever area contractors are operating should apply the same standards. We are, however, talking about bus contractors, many of whom have been seriously hurt and feel undermined by the reports and questions regarding their integrity and the way they operate school contracts. I know nearly all the contractors in Kerry and I know how they behave. They provide an excellent service. Cowboy operators have been mentioned here and that word certainly does not apply to the contractors I know in Kerry. It certainly does not apply to the Bus Éireann operators who are in charge of the school bus contracts in Kerry. Nothing like what is being discussed could happen at all with the strict regime that is applied in Kerry. I am a bit worried about the ulterior motive for all this. People are talking about roadside inspections for buses, but there is no mention at all of roadside inspections for commercial lorry transport or other vehicles on the road. School buses seem to have been selected-----