Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I have a follow-up question. The witness said that she is supportive of 10% of services going out to tender, that the NTA should engage with communities to identify where there is a service need and that she believed this would cut costs. What is her opinion of, for example, the 10% going to private tender and the private contractor, after getting the contract, being able to amend the contract? The contract that was initially given can be amended. The private contractor can say, "We got the contract and this is the contract we have undertaken but we now find that it is not profitable for us to sustain the provision of services to villages X, Y and Z". They can amend it, so one is back to square one. They have the flexibility to amend the contract and cut the service. That defeats the entire purpose. What does she think about that? At least if it is the public transport provider, it is compelled to provide that service. When the private contractor is able to amend the service the real losers will be the public and the commuter.