Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am committed to ensuring rural Ireland will maintain an appropriate level of public transport connectivity. That is why I met the National Transport Authority, NTA, a few weeks ago to inform myself better of its statutory powers and track record in this regard. I was reassured by what it had to state. It will not be found wanting if routes and services are changed. The Government stands ready with it to assist rural Ireland. However, there are certain elements of the motion that the Government cannot support. In recent weeks we have witnessed some confused thinking. The motion ends with a call for the Government to interfere with Bus Éireann's conduct of its commercial Expressway business, regardless of the financial consequences or whether there are the legal powers to do so. The purpose of my amendment is to clarify the intent of existing policies and the opportunities available to the NTA to address concerns about the impact on rural Ireland's transport connectivity.

I am conscious of the concerns expressed by the Bus Éireann trade unions about the difficulties the company faces. However, the company is anxious to engage with them in negotiating a plan that will secure its viability. As Minister, I support constructive dialogue between management and employees, as it is only through such dialogue that the company's difficulties can be resolved. The State is ready to assist in facilitating the resolution of the industrial relations issues. It has been so ever since Seán Lemass established new industrial relations machinery in 1946. We should not undo his measured work and later subsequent reforms. Accordingly, we should avoid embroiling Ministers in resolving industrial relations issues that cut across the respective roles of the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court. While I understand the implied concerns expressed in the Labour Party's amendment, the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015 provides a robust legal framework for the drawing up of sectoral employment orders. Sinn Féin's amendment is not acceptable, as it asks me to intervene in industrial relations negotiations and matters that are primarily the responsibility of the company. As for the amendment tabled by People before Profit in the names of Deputy Mick Barry and others, I am endeavouring to increase public transport funding as resources permit.

Bus Éireann faces significant financial challenges. The company comprises three distinct business areas - PSO services, school transport services and Expressway services. Its PSO services are the Exchequer-subvented services operated under contract with the NTA. There are approximately 230 routes within the Bus Éireann PSO network which account for approximately 40% of Bus Éireann's total passenger journeys in any given year. Last year the company received a subvention of just over €40 million, a 21% increase on the amount received in 2015.

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