Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I move amendment No. 3:

In page 8, subsection (1), between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following:

"(a) shall have regard to the desirability of ensuring that operators of public bus services are not treated less favourably than operators of private bus services,".

This amendment proposes to insert text into the general provisions for the consideration of applications for grant of licences section. The amendment seeks a level playing field so public operators are not discriminated against. I referred to this aspect, which is important to the Labour Party, on Second Stage. The Minister indicated he intended to provide a level playing field. There is now an emphasis on new contractors and new people coming in. The statement should be made that this is particularly important. Public service operators should not be treated less favourably than operators of private bus services.