Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, this is a matter of policy. However, it is also a matter of commercial reality. Essentially, the matter is under discussion between the management and trade unions. The Oireachtas joint committee is currently hearing from the acting chief executive officer of Bus Éireann in respect of the company's current difficulties. Government policy in this area is that the travelling public should have access to the best quality in transport services, whether that is in frequency or choice of routes. That should apply for customers and for commuters. There have been a number of positive changes in the last couple of years which have resulted in more services, better frequencies and more competitive fares and the travelling public has voted with its feet. The number for the use of commercial bus services was approximately 23 million in 2015. We should welcome first and foremost the fact that more people are using public transport.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform granted an increase of 17% in the subvention this year and it is now up to €35 million. However, it is a commercial fact that passenger growth has not been experienced in the Expressway arm of Bus Éireann, a service that competes with other operators. I gave Deputy Troy the number of licences issued in recent years in response to a point that was raised. There was some misunderstanding about the number issued.

I hope the trade unions and management can continue to engage in a realistic and constructive fashion about this serious matter. There are those who try to ascribe what is happening to a policy failing. However, as the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, and I have stated, this is a commercial problem and it deserves a commercial response. That means a resolution between the company and the trade unions must be found. We must be very clear about this. At the heart of this public policy issue is the travelling public. The overarching objective is to get more people to use public transport. I have already pointed to the improvements that have been made.

In respect of the Deputy's reference to the National Transport Authority, NTA, the authority stands ready to intervene with regard to rural Ireland, if required to do so, to ensure public transport connectivity if commercial services are reconfigured following the discussions that take place between the management and the trade unions. The NTA has issued invitations to political parties and groups so that it can explain its role and responsibility in this area. Nobody, least of all the Government or the Minister, underestimates the difficulties Bus Éireann faces. However, these difficulties will not be resolved through media comment but through dialogue, discussion and negotiation.

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