Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy. I was at one of the depots recently. I cannot remember the exact figure, but I think the manager said that people of 68 different nationalities are driving our Dublin buses. That is all to the good. As the Deputy said, getting drivers has been our biggest problem. This is also the case for mechanics. There is a real shortage of mechanics. We need the figures out there and watch out for those who want to turn their hand to maintaining our bus fleet. I absolutely agree; it is important that we hold onto that perspective in these uncertain times and that we do not allow an alternative narrative to develop. It is not true; a huge service is done by those drivers and mechanics. Wherever they come from, they are serving us.