Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The reorganisation of the bus fleet in Dublin or anywhere else depends on the facts. From memory, bus passenger numbers are down by 10% which, against a background of finite budgets, means that some reorganisation has to take place in the interest of providing a sustainable public transport system in the city. These are the challenges management in that company, as in other companies, have to face, in the face of a downturn in the usage of public transport. It is important that we bear those issues in mind as we try to provide a service to the people.

The issue Deputy Barrett raised is a matter on which I saw correspondence between the Minister and the committee some time ago. My understanding of the situation was that while it does have interdepartmental responsibilities, the Minister, Deputy Ryan is not solely responsible for this matter but he indicated a preparedness to meet with the committee and see in what way the arguments being put forward by it can be advanced. The best prospect of doing that is by direct engagement with the line Minister concerned.

The Cabinet committee is a creature of Cabinet and takes some of the workload from Cabinet in its full plenary session on to the committee's work. Policy formulation or proposals on offshore energy production and the potential our coasts and waters have for such proposals are matters that can and should be advanced with the line Minister and Department. Inviting people in, including those with technical expertise and the political heads of Department, to see in what way progress is being made would be beneficial. I will also raise the matter personally with the Minister.

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