Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Incompetence in the extreme is going on in Bus Éireann. In my short time, I will pick one area which is the over-70s, and ageist discrimination. I have been raising it in this House for four years with different taoisigh and tánaistí; Tweedledum and Tweedledee. They told me they were sorting it out. I was sitting here last week and I called up to Deputy Chambers, who was just passing. I asked him whether he could do something about the over-70s, as many routes have been thrown up this year because good contractors could not fulfil the contracts because those aged over 70 could not drive. That is discrimination on health grounds. I asked the Minister of State who shook his head and replied the Government could not do anything; it was Bus Éireann. I rest my case. The Bus Éireann mandarins are running the country. The Minister of State here is taking money under false pretences. The Ministers are not in charge. They should have the common sense to get out of the job and let the officials run the whole show altogether.

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