Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I salute the actions of the Bus Éireann workers. They are fighting not only in defence of their own terms and conditions, but for all who work in public transport. They are fighting for a defence of public transport which, particularly at a time of global climate crisis, is essential. Let us be clear that this is not a question of the Minister, Deputy Ross, or the Government being hands off. They are very much hands on. They are hands on with hands around the throats of the Bus Éireann workers as a result of the cuts that have been implemented and the refusal to increase the subsidy. This is an inherently and intensely political issue. Political pressure has to be mounted on the Minister, Deputy Ross, and on the Government to increase the subsidy to reverse the cuts. I turn to Fianna Fáil to ask what it will do to go beyond the words of sympathy that have been issued. What will it do to demand the cuts are reversed and to demand an increase in subsidy happens? Will Fianna Fáil back the strike or will it continue to back up this Government, which is responsible for this situation?

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