Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have much work ongoing on this issue. Again, I am strongly in favour - as was Deputy Howlin - of good, strong management of our semi-State companies by those who run them. They are dealing, however, with circumstances they played no role in triggering. Regarding the larger issues developing, there is no doubt there is a challenge concerning public transport. I support what the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, said some days ago concerning our desire and need to support public transport.

It is of great intrinsic value. If it was unavailable, that would have a significant effect on the ability of our economy to reopen. Some of the issues in that regard are very significant. How can we support Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus, for example, if they have far fewer passengers than was previously the case? That would be through no fault of the companies but, rather, due to public health reasons.

Significant work needs to be done regarding what will happen in our higher education institutions, including universities, where there is likely to be a large amount of change in areas such as the student mix. We are not yet able to conclude what the needs of any of these sectors will be but as we move into the summer, the work that is now under way will need to conclude such that we can indicate to companies where they stand.

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