Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I beg to differ with the Minister. The most profitable public transport routes are being sold, notwithstanding what he says. Does he accept that his privatisation agenda for our public transport routes will ultimately cost the State, just as it did elsewhere when public services were privatised?

I imagine the Minister is aware of reports and findings from across the water which clearly show that Britain's privatised bus system is a source of widespread and justified disgruntlement. The system is described as an overpriced, inefficient, poor quality mess. When privatisation commenced in Britain in 1986 it was with the promise that, as the Minister might say, more people would travel. However, the number of bus trips taken in cities outside of London subsequently collapsed from 2 billion per year to 1 billion per year. Britain's bus privatisation story, or disaster, is one of profit before need. It is a dismal tale for those who believe that the private sector automatically trumps the public realm, a view shared by the Minister. It should serve as a stark warning to him when he looks across the water and sees exactly what has happened there. Privatisation eventually cost more, especially in the London area. The Minister already knows that but it is as if he does not care and has decided to leave a mess for someone else to clean up afterwards.

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