Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Putting Bus Éireann on a sound financial footing is, to a significant extent, within the Minister's gift and that of his Department. If the free travel pass was to be paid to Bus Éireann at a 100% rate, rather than at the rate the Minister has indicated, it would make a difference to the tune millions. I have seen some reports that indicate a sum of €17 million per annum. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, tells us that this is in the pipeline. He says it will happen soon but he has been telling us that for weeks and months. We are at a critical stage with this company, so why is it taking so long? Is there a deliberate policy on the part of the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, and his Department to facilitate the crisis at Bus Éireann and push a privatisation agenda? Can the Minister please reply to that question?

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