John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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It seems to have been an additional payment which was made by the Minister to that company. I am concerned about whether the accounts have been examined to the extent that the company is running efficiently and well. Is the State exposed to these payments being made when the company gets into trouble or its accounts are in difficulty? Is it the case that in such circumstances, the money is just asked for? How is the money actually accounted for? How do we know what the company is doing with the money? Is it going into the school transport system or the general public transport system? Is it distorting the market for the independent operators? Are Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann being given an unfair advantage when they are given this money? A range of issues needs to be raised in this respect. There is public concern about it. We should be taking an interest in it, as the moneys involved are substantial.