Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When looked at in detail, it is more of an ideological decision than anything else. The Minister's party, when in opposition, talked a lot about effectively privatising the public transport network as it applied to Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. It was not possible with Iarnród Éireann, since it has no capacity to make profit. There seemed to be an agreement between Fine Gael and the Labour Party that at 10% everybody won. The Minister should be in no doubt that the hawks within his party want ultimate privatisation of the bus network. Ten percent, in terms of the cost savings, will be minimal. I have every expectation that the large companies that come in will meet their service level agreements for the five years and will carry any losses if necessary in order to do that. However, the long-term game here - this is what concerns transport workers - is about privatisation and the dismantling of a public transport network that has been built up over many generations. If the Minister continues with that policy decision, he is ultimately allowing a process to begin in which the endgame is very clear.

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