Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will not land the Chairman in jail either but I thank all our guests for their very fine contributions. As Senator Horkan alluded to, we should return to the various recommendations as a committee.

I thank Mr. Kavanagh, in particular, for attending. David O'Brien of Cork Coach Hire, a commercial operator, been strong in his advocacy. Will Mr. Kavanagh elaborate on his comments regarding the lack of alignment in State contracts and Government procurement, in particular regarding school transport contracts, the effect they are having on operators and the provision of school transport at the moment?

My next question is for Mr. Drennan, whom I thank for his contribution and for his sensible approach on the public airwaves, whether radio or television, and in other media. He is a fine spokesperson for the Irish Road Haulage Association and I have found him to be measured in his advocacy. He has calmed the situation, which has been very difficult for his organisation's members and his leadership is to be commended. Will he expand on the point about politicians acting as an interlocutor and on what he thinks we can or cannot do in that capacity regarding fuel costs and the future of the sector? All of us are concerned about the future of both the road haulage association and the coach and tour operators. I will not go into this in detail because a substantial report was published today showing that tourism figures have declined year on year for three years.

Finally, I thank Mr. Flynn for his very fine contribution and for the recommendations he made, and I thank Mr. Kenny also. We appreciate our guests' attendance and we understand their frustration and that of their organisations' members. We hope that, as Members of Parliament working on their behalf, we can intercede with and through the Government to make life better for their people.