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

The backdrop to this question is the fact that 97% of Dublin Bus workers who were balloted rejected the proposals. The proposals were for changes to work practices, changes in their rostering and included lower rates for part-time drivers. The ballot was conducted with the threat of privatisation hanging over their heads but still 97% said "No". I ask the Minister to take serious note of that vote and the anger represented by it.

There is also the registered employment agreement, which was agreed in the Labour Court, that no driver should have to transfer if he or she loses a route to bus tendering. Does the Minister recognise that agreement? Does he agree that where anyone is transferred over, the NTA should fund it? This is in the agreement.

In 2015, there was an agreement that only 10% of routes were to be tendered and then only new ones. Why then is Bus Éireann, which is a sister company, tendering routes 133 and 101 over and above what was agreed back in 2015?

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