Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

These amendments go to the heart of the difference between the different parties with regard to the Bill. Some of the amendments are restrictive and would restrict fair and open competition between the public and private sector, particularly the Labour Party proposal that Bus Éireann would have exclusive right to ownership and responsibility for planning and operating the provincial and urban bus network outside of the greater Dublin area. If that was passed, it would negate the principle of the Bill, which is to open up the area and make the National Transport Authority the sponsoring authority for all proposed networks and changes to them. Notwithstanding the excellent work of Bus Éireann and the connection and positive interaction it has with the private sector on routes throughout the country, if the Minister accepted the amendment, it would mean Bus Éireann would become the dominant and sole influence in what would happen and where and why it would happen.

There are more than 6,000 people working in the private bus sector, providing transport throughout the country. The majority of these are small operators, not the big multinational operators one finds in the United Kingdom. The majority of the operators here function in the community and provide local services, bingo and school buses and provide for the needs of local clubs and so on. It is only right that when such companies reach a stage when they could tender for other routes, they should be able to compete with Bus Éireann and other companies for routes that would suit their needs and size. It is a key point of Fine Gael policy that such companies are able to compete, whether a PSO route or not is involved. We cannot sustain a system ——

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