Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has spoken about inefficiencies. The unions have publicly recognised their own responsibilities in that regard. Unions enter negotiations and compromise. That is what they do. Although the Minister is right when he says inefficient work practices have to be resolved by negotiation, he is not fulfilling his own responsibilities. He mentioned that the examination of the free travel scheme "is almost complete and the issue will be resolved satisfactorily". As we know, Bus Éireann receives far less compensation than private operators in respect of passengers who use the free travel scheme. That is part of the solution. The management of Bus Éireann is staring down the barrel of examinership as it tries to close a deficit. The Minister is saying that part of the solution is almost complete. He needs to deal with that part of the solution to this problem. We have been told that efficiencies were used to find €50 million for the gardaí and a further €120 million to bring forward the €1,000 increase under the Lansdowne Road agreement. Where are the inefficiencies that are now being converted to efficiencies to make savings of €170 million? They are invisible. Against that backdrop, the Minister's failure to resolve this issue tells us all that there is an agenda at play here.

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