Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

At the outset, on my behalf and on behalf of the Labour Party, I extend our sympathies to the family of Michael White and to the families of all those who were injured and traumatised in this tragedy. I was interested in the Minister's statements on "Prime Time" last night in respect of the licensing regime for coaches used for school runs. This is the second school bus-related tragedy within a year and the various reports on the Meath tragedy have not yet been published. Arising from those reports, have lessons been learned within the Department of Transport in respect of the licensing regime and the testing for roadworthiness? Has the Minister seen those reports, or have any steps been taken to improve these two specific areas?

As for the Minister's comments last night and today, to the effect that the driver of the vehicle in question was not licensed to carry out the service which he provided——

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