Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The programme for Government has clearly abandoned the element of competition, which has been so good in so many other areas. Uniquely in the bus service, however, it will be left to one provider alone. Have we got to a stage where the issue of commuter policy is much more important for the provider than for the consumer? Why has this change of heart by the Minister, on behalf of the Government, occurred?

Ten quality bus corridors are currently operating, while another ten are under construction and a further 39 are in the pipeline. The Minister says the Dublin transport authority will be on stream fairly soon, but the competition element has been abandoned and future legislation will deal with all of this. Meanwhile, there are three or four weeks left in this session, following which we will have a relatively short period before the summer recess and the Government will be away again. Has the entire Cabinet given its approval to this change of heart announced by the Minister last Sunday?

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