Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I wish to point out to Senators Cannon and O'Malley that the amendment does not seek more favourable treatment for the operators of public bus services. It would require that they not be treated less favourably; in other words, that they be treated equally. In the push for the privatisation of Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, there is a danger that we will throw the baby out with the bath water. The public operators which have done a good job during the years and can compete may be forgotten. The amendment is not seeking preferable treatment for the operators of public bus services.