Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

There has been considerable investment, and rightly so, in recent years in Iarnród Éireann, DART, Luas, Aer Lingus and inter-city Bus Éireann buses. However, the transport fleet that is entrusted to carry our children to school is now the least safe method of public transport. In the past year there have been five serious accidents involving school buses. Everybody remembers the tragic death of five young girls in Kentstown, County Meath. In addition, a bus went on fire in County Meath minutes before it was due to pick up children. In Sligo, a seven year old fell out of a bus window, while in Clara, County Offaly, a young boy lost his life. Yesterday, a bus which had been carrying 32 school children caught fire and burned out.

This must be a matter of serious concern for the Government. I heard the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, say this morning on the radio that we have a safe and roadworthy school bus system. However, the Department combined the private contracted buses and the school bus fleet to reduce the average age of the vehicles, which is now estimated to be 16 years. This is an issue on which the Taoiseach has absolute control. It is not subject to court rulings or confusion.

Many parents are concerned about their children travelling on the clapped-out school bus fleet, many of whose vehicles are more than 16 years old. Having a transport company run a school bus fleet causes confusion between supplying a proper and safe service and running a commercial entity. Is the Government not concerned about this? Is the Taoiseach not anxious that a school bus fleet of that age operated by Bus Éireann is not as roadworthy as it should be? Contrary to what the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, said, five accidents and six deaths in the past year is not a safe record. What will the Taoiseach do about it?

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