Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is privatisation, despite what the Minister says. It is the start of the privatisation route. Our public transport network needs to be protected. It is a public service. It is about connecting communities and urban and rural areas. It provides a lifeline to rural Ireland and is also better for the environment. Public transport is not supposed to be about profit. It is supposed to be about providing a public service. We need to invest in our public transport network rather than trying to tear down Bus Éireann.

The Minister is going ahead with the plan to place the next tranche of Bus Éireann routes out to tender despite the fact that there has been no review. He is not even waiting to see whether his first privatisation effort was successful. I am sure the Minister has done his research but he need only look across the water to see the disaster privatisation was over there. It appears he is jumping the gun in his eagerness to tear down our national carrier, Bus Éireann. Where will it all end?

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