Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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I thank Mr. Murphy. Like Deputy Timmy Dooley, I agree that Mr. Murphy's experience and qualifications render him suitable for the post of chairman of Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann is a trusted and well-regarded company, which goes a long way for any business. I foresee risks facing the company in terms of the privatisation of routes, particularly where companies can cherry-pick the more profitable routes. Can Mr. Murphy comment on this?

The presentation referred to Bus Éireann operating three businesses within one entity, PSO services, commercial services and school transport schemes. I understand why school transport is shown separately but I do not understand why PSO urban, commuter and rural transport is shown separately from commercial services. It might be regarded as a fatalistic acceptance that we cannot have commercially viable services in urban or rural areas. Perhaps Mr. Murphy can tease out that point.

Every Deputy receives representations from parents about some of the rigid rules of the Department of Education and Skills with regard to the school transport service.

I am sure drivers, inspectors and people in the field hear this from parents also. Is there an opportunity for Mr. Murphy's people to sit down with the Department of Education and Skills to talk through how it is working, the disappointment for some parents and students and some of what appear to be fairly silly things where a bus drives by somebody's house but the person has to travel in order to get the bus? Is there the opportunity for that sort of discussion in order to fine tune the service and make it a bit more sensible?

Is the €0.4 million surplus after provision for fleet replacement and upgrade or is there a totally separate capital expenditure heading for fleet replacement and upgrade?

What time commitment does Mr. Murphy envisage will be required of him in order to fulfil this role? Does he have other commitments in terms of chairmanships or memberships of other boards which will compete for that time?