Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)

To be helpful to the Deputy, I thought the question might be based on the incident that occurred on 6 February last. The transport liaison officer in County Limerick has been asked to provide a report on the matter and it has been confirmed that the bus in question was contracted to the bus authorities and not to Bus Éireann. I understand the vehicle was registered in 1987 and has recently passed its roadworthiness test.

I am sure the Deputy will understand that the Department has no direct role in safety or other aspects of what were private contractual arrangements. If we were to get involved in that, we would be in the ludicrous position of being asked to police those travelling to school by private car as well. If a school wishes to enter into this contractual arrangement to hire a bus for school transport, it is a matter between that school and the contractors.

See this speech in context