Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree that public services are not supposed to be principally or exclusively about profit making. However, as the Deputy will probably be aware, Bus Éireann cannot receive a subvention as it is purely and utterly a commercial operation. The company cannot be viewed in the same way as other semi-State bodies because it must survive without a subvention from the State.

On the wider issue, I agree that public transport entities cannot be viewed as exclusively profit making. There is no danger that they will be privatised. As Minister, I fully acknowledge that a subvention is necessary and that public transport services have a social element and a social duty. To be fair, I believe that view is shared by everybody and reassure the Deputy in that regard. While we seek value for money for taxpayers, commuters and travellers, there is no question of taking a purely commercial view of public transport.

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