Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

Is the Minister saying that he has not received correspondence from drivers about this? My information is that letters were sent to the Department, although it may have been before the Minister's appointment. The letters were sent, however, and I am told that other Deputies received similar correspondence.

The Minister has not answered the question about substandard seats for drivers on Dublin Bus causing serious back injuries. The Minister does not appear to be aware of that problem, the dangers of miscarriage for pregnant women or fuel fumes on the lower decks of buses. Has the Minister been on a bus and smelt such fumes? Is he aware of faulty brakes or drivers' fears of brakes going on fire? Is the Minister aware of any of these matters or is he in the dark, as was the kitchen downstairs earlier?

I am making a simple request arising from my concerns and those of the drivers involved. This is a priority question and perhaps other Deputies received the same correspondence that I did. I am concerned because I think there is a tragedy waiting to happen. I will pass on the information that I have been given to the Minister. If he suggests it should also be furnished to the Garda Síochána, I will do that as well. My understanding is, however, that when drivers produce letters from their general practitioners stating that they are unfit to drive buses, pressure is put on them to drive on those routes. That is second-hand information but it has been furnished to me. It is a serious accusation but I felt it was important to raise it here as I have been given that information.

See this speech in context