Mr. Seán Ó Foghlú:

Obviously, I am aware that some of these matters have been referred to An Garda Síochána and that Bus Éireann representatives were with the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications last week. We received a letter in December 2013 from the Committee of Public Accounts on allegations relating to the awarding of contracts. This is a matter which also arose in the submission and affidavits around the other legal case. First, it is usual and appropriate for an allegation against an employee to be investigated by the employer in question. This relates to an allegation concerning an employee. The Chairman's committee requested a copy of the report when completed and it was provided. The committee sought our views in that regard and we made it clear that it was usual and appropriate that an allegation be looked at. We noted that a three-person investigation team had been established to investigate the allegations. On that basis, no evidence could be found to refer to the Garda.

There were further media reports and Deputies Leo Varadkar and Alan Kelly, the Minister and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, respectively, and the Minister of State, Deputy Ciarán Cannon, asked for a report from Bus Éireann. The report was received by us and I understand sent to the committee. Arising from this, it appears to us that the process undertaken by Bus Éireann was robust. I understand the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications has referred all of the material to the Garda. If other issues arise, it would not be appropriate for us to take further action. If money was paid inappropriately, it would be a matter for the Garda. We do not see additional value in us becoming involved.