Fiona O'Malley (Progressive Democrats)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I agree with him in regard to the role and importance of bus transport. Buses represent good value for money and new bus routes and services can be quickly implemented. Particularly in these tightening economic circumstances, we will be dependent on private operators to provide bus services. It is not necessary to have public buses on a route; it does not matter who provides the service.

Changing the 1932 legislation has been talked about for a long time. The Road Transport Act was produced in 1932 to curtail bus services because they were in competition with the railways. In such a dynamic economy, it is appalling such restrictive legislation is still in use. As the Minister of State said, our duty is to the consumer and Dublin's commuters. Dublin Bus has done itself a disservice. The Minister of State is not best pleased with how the company conducted itself in this matter. This cherry-picking practice will not be tolerated and Members, now wise to it, will watch developments carefully. I look forward to the swift implementation of the amended 1932 Act and a dynamic bus service, not just in Dublin, but across the country.