Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy, but I wish to point out something. This is opening up for tendering, not direct privatisation per se. This week, I met Dublin Bus and spoke with the chief executive of Bus Éireann. I will speak with the chief executive of Irish Rail today.

The Deputy is right about the mixed results in other countries that underwent full privatisation of services. How the process is managed is the important issue. This is a modest opening up of the market, up to 10%. Basically, it involves orbital routes in Dublin's commuter areas and some routes in Waterford city. This is the decision of the NTA.

The way in which the service is managed will be crucial. It is the National Transport Authority that will dictate and decide the service level, routes and frequency of services. It will not be decided by the company that has been successful in the tender process. That is critical and something about which we are adamant.

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