Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Martin is well aware of the industrial relations mechanism that now kicks in regarding the dispute between the management and unions at Bus Éireann. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has commented that in the event of changes introduced by Bus Éireann in rural transport, the gap will be filled by the National Transport Authority. The latter is referred to in the programme for realising our rural potential that we launched yesterday. The programme contains a section dealing with both the requirements involved and the necessity to have rural transport provided for people throughout the country. That will fall under the monitoring of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, so there are two separate issues. Clearly, the assessment of the quality and value of rural transport is one. The outcome of the discussions and negotiations between management and unions in Bus Éireann might well have an impact on that element of rural transport having to be provided in a different way in the future.

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