Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I think that will be absolutely necessary. The backdrop to the current crisis and the cuts that are set to be imposed on workers is, in part, a result of the reduction in the public service obligation, PSO, subvention, one of the key reasons Bus Éireann has run into problems. While the Minister has said openly that he does not believe either party should be involved in going into this immediate crisis with preconditions - I think all of us would echo that - they need to get together and try to sort it out. In the longer term, we absolutely need a forum to provide a platform that will ensure some sort of long-term vision and plan for all our public transport which can be put in place without the constant threat to the wages and conditions of bus workers, who are pretty much hard up against it. They do not live luxurious lifestyles or anything like that, and the prospect for them and their families of this crisis is not helpful. I think the longer-term facilitation would be welcome, but in the meantime the Minister could and should do what he can in the face of the immediate crisis.

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