Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

The lack of transparency and accountability should not be used to promote the privatisation of public transport, nor should transport contracts be opened up to competition. Efficiency cannot be gained by snatching services from the people. Experiences such as Aer Lingus and Eircom have shown that profit overrides the public need and given the current economic circumstance we are in, we cannot allow this to happen.

There is no reason that a competent, cost-effective transport system cannot be provided by the public sector. While there is substantial scope for reform of oversight and transparency procedures to ensure that taxpayers' money is not being wasted frivolously, there is no rationale for the Fine Gael position regarding privatisation of services. Looking for a quick buck to fill a hole in the public finances this way will seriously undermine public services in the future as contractors seek their own economic efficiencies, even to the point of leaving people standing at a bus stop.

While a recent newspaper expose revealed a litany of abuses, including offences such as collusion, kick-backs and incompetence in CIE, the rotten core does not lie in the fact that this is a public asset. Waving the magic wand of competition is hardly the only viable solution. The culture of speculation, cronyism, scratching one's friend's back, poor governance and the lack of governmental and public oversight has brought us to this impasse.

Regarding the Minister's reply to the question on the Freedom of Information Act, I accept his proposition that it would be a dangerous tool if it were opened completely to a semi-State body which is a commercial entity, as it would be to a non-commercial entity. Similar to the Minister for Finance's example in regard to NAMA, which raises commercially sensitive issues to which he has promised to find a way around, devices could be employed which would allow important answers regarding the accountability and transparency of CIE to come under the scope of the Freedom of Information Act. There is no reason that the Minister and his Department cannot devise such a system. In fact, if he or his Department wish to have the advice of this side of the House, I am sure we will be more than willing to assist him in that endeavour.

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