Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I want to state some facts that get to the nub of this dispute. The Belgian Government pays 78% towards the PSO as it is known in Ireland. The equivalent figure is 51% in Switzerland, 49% in Holland and 12% in Ireland, which is in last place. The underfunding of a public service like Bus Éireann was destined to end in a crisis. This crisis is not confined to Bus Éireann. We also need to look at what will happen in Dublin Bus over the next year when 10% of its routes are opened to private operators. The exact same thing that is happening to Bus Éireann workers will happen to Dublin Bus workers. This is an ideological assault on public transport in Ireland. It is time for the Minister to get his finger out.

See this speech in context