Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

 As the Deputy is aware, I am greatly concerned that industrial action has been threatened in circumstances where the National Transport Authority is carrying out its statutory responsibility of proceeding with a tendering process that resulted from an assessment of how best to balance direct award and tendered public service obligation bus services in the public interest. Such action would cause considerable disruption to the public across the country and would substantially damage the companies' finances.

Allowing for a degree of competitive tension in the market will ensure better value for money for the taxpayer and improved quality of service for commuters and the Government is committed to that objective. Both CIE bus companies are open to compete for the routes that are going out to tender. Furthermore, the growth in both companies will be sufficient to minimise the effects should either of them not be successful in securing a tender. 

I have repeatedly stated my support for both Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann as shown by the €180 million that was invested in the companies by the taxpayer and by the Government last year in public service obligation funding and support for the upgrading and modernisation of their fleets. I have also given a commitment to seek an increase in subvention funds into the future to enable expansion in the years ahead.

There had been intensive engagement for some time at the Labour Relations Commission, which is the appropriate place to have employee concerns addressed. The unions should call off the threatened strikes and return to the commission. The companies have assured me that they will engage constructively in that forum.

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