Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:

“recognises that:— Bus Éireann’s financially parlous state arises in large measure from the legacy of a cut to the State subsidy which in 2016 was still €12 million less than 2009 levels;

— this has been further compounded by a financial contribution from the Department of Social Protection for free travel that is completely inadequate when approximately 30% of all passengers availed of free travel in 2016;

— the absence of an employment regulation order for the coach sector, the proliferation of licences issued by the National Transport Authority for inter-city routes and the absence of a proper inspectorate into the running of private coach operations has fuelled a ‘race to the bottom’ based on the more intensive exploitation of workers;

— the workers, from whom a cut in take home pay of up to 30% is being demanded under threat of the closure of the company, are blameless for the financial position of Bus Éireann;

— the performance of an adequately funded comprehensive inter-city and rural bus network cannot be discerned from its balance sheet but by the connectivity it provides for rural communities and the elderly, the reduction of carbon emissions and easing traffic congestion; and

— the position of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Government on the Bus Éireann dispute runs contrary to the aspirations they claim are enshrined in the Action Plan for Rural Ireland;calls on the Government to:— commit to the importance of a public sector transport network that is adequately funded;

— reverse the cuts in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport subsidy, as a first step, and increase the Department of Social Protection contribution towards the free travel commensurate with the patronising of Bus Éireann by those entitled to free travel;

— not apply any charge towards the free travel pass on the elderly and other vulnerable groups; and

— introduce an employment regulation order for the bus sector with pay and conditions no lower than those currently enjoyed by Bus Éireann workers; andviews strike action by the workers as an entirely appropriate response to the actions of Bus Éireann management and commits to support them in their struggle to save their jobs, pay and conditions.”

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