Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I join with everybody in the House in deeply regretting the fact that unofficial action took place, which meant major inconvenience for many loyal commuters of Bus Átha Cliath during the past couple of days. It is very much regretted that this was the case. It is not fair on commuters or on the bus drivers who want to get back to work. Everybody agrees that early implementation of Dublin Bus's cost recovery plan is urgently required in order that the company can avoid a projected operating deficit of more than €30 million for this year. It is accepted that Dublin Bus must take action to secure operational efficiencies and to reduce costs in order to maintain services at the highest level possible while stabilising its financial position. Failure to implement that plan would give rise to very serious financial losses for the company.

Dublin Bus's cost recovery plan was accepted following a labour court recommendation comprising a pay pause, reduction of 120 buses, changes to travelling time, reallocation of duties, schedule redesign and changes, limits on compensation and disturbance allowances, changes to paid breaks and overtime arrangements and reduction in support staff and trainers. The changes were signalled and discussed at local level. The most recent update on the issue is that drivers are returning to work at Harristown and that buses are leaving the depot with full service expected tomorrow.

I accept that it is greatly to be regretted that there was any disruption of services. The well-established industrial relations procedures need to be adhered to. Where Labour Court recommendations are brought forward in such circumstances it is important in the interests of best industrial practice that the recommendations are followed and that the spirit and content of those recommendations are respected. That did not happen uniformly in this case and subsequently it was an action that took wider consequences in the past 36 hours.

Deputy Kenny makes a point with which we would all agree. It is important that industrial relations procedures are such that inconvenience is avoided, particularly given the important public service that is being provided for many commuters who are going to work or conducting their daily business. To do so without notice undermines the efforts of many to ensure the necessary cost-recovery plans are put in place. That lesson needs to be learned in the interests of the company and everybody who works in it.

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