Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for their presentations. From my perspective and that of my party, we have no hesitation in recommending their continuation in and reappointment to their roles. They have shown a very strong understanding of public transport in their respective companies and that is to all our benefit. I join other members in expressing thanks to the front-line workers, including the witnesses and their teams who are not often recognised as front-line workers. However, that is what they have been throughout the pandemic and they deserve a debt of gratitude and support. The issues of pensions and all of that which were mentioned need to be addressed to show the support of the company and the State for the workers.

I wish to concentrate on the future. I have every expectation that the witnesses will address the fallout from Covid but the biggest challenge from my perspective and, I am sure, that of the witnesses is the requirement to become, effectively, green-friendly in the next ten years. We have decarbonisation targets for 2030 and 2050 which we must reach.

If I make any critical comment about the companies it would be what I perceive to be - and the witnesses will get an opportunity to reflect upon this - the lethargy in addressing the decarbonisation of the their fleets. There are financial constraints, which I am sure the witnesses will set out, but I would like to have seen the companies move more quickly in that regard, notwithstanding what the witnesses have set out just now.

The big issue - it is bigger than most - is the role the companies will play in decarbonising transport generally with the increase in activity in public transport. I would like to get the witnesses' thoughts on what else can be done by their respective companies to assist in that modal shift? Luxembourg introduced free public transport some time ago. What are the respective chairpersons' views on having a free public transport service for the next five, six or seven years, or whatever it might take, to incentivise that modal shift away from individual vehicular transport, particularly cars, and toward public transport? There is some merit to that and I would like to hear the witnesses' views on it. Will they also reflect on where they see own companies' decarbonisation and sustainability programmes for the coming years?