Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

There is absolutely nothing to prevent a private sector company from applying for a licence to operate routes throughout the city on any routes that are available. There is a licensing system under the 1932 Act. By 9 December next year, if there are new PSO routes to be put in place, they will also be open to the private sector. Regarding the buses Dublin Bus believes it is necessary to take out of commission, the normal procedure is that each year a certain number of buses are bought and older ones are taken out of service, if that is necessary. That is a matter under discussion between management and unions in the company and I do not want to stray into that area.

See this speech in context