Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My understanding is the impact of the procurement process is not necessarily what the Deputy has said it is, although I do not doubt for a moment his bona fides. My understanding is that as a result of the procurement process, there is no change in the transport services, although there is a change in the management of services at a local level. The procurement service allows TCUs to plan for the longer term with greater certainty and it ensures best value for money for the public purse. It also allows the NTA to define services that are required and properly monitor performance and delivery of the service. It protects the NTA and the TCUs from potential state aid issues. It is an EU-specified procurement process and it must be respected as such. It should be pointed out as well that all the applicants were from not-for-profit companies but they could have come from for-profit companies as well.

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