Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

I am not specifically talking about Bus Éireann, but am talking about CIE and Iarnród Éireann. If we are strict about our criteria towards the private sector, which I welcome, we should be equally strict about the criteria for giving licences to those involved in public sector transport.

The two main principles of the Bill are that those operating in this area should be of good repute and should have a good safety record. If Iarnród Éireann were to make an application, it should be refused on grounds included in the Bill because it is not an organisation of good repute.

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