Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

My time is ticking down. In its opening statement Dublin Bus stated that the number of new drivers is not keeping pace with the rate of network expansion. Presumably the network expansion between the two providers and the NTA is the BusConnects system. What is the level of engagement? When the NTA says it is rolling out the next spine or the next part of the network and the bus companies say they are not ready because they do not have enough drivers, how does that work? It is obviously not working at the moment.

What is the level of engagement? The NTA says it is running out the next spine or whatever part of the network and operators say they are not ready and do not have enough drivers. How does that work because it is not working at the moment? We have an expansion that has been much heralded in the pipeline for a long time and, therefore, nobody can say BusConnects has been a surprise but the two providers of the service in Dublin say they cannot keep pace with the rate of network expansion. Could all three witnesses speak to that? Are they going too fast, are they too far behind and are they discussing this on a regular basis?