Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I do not normally rise to defend a Minister of State but I see the merit of the subsection and it is not unduly restrictive. It is a question of the licensing of bus services for the consumer, so the interests of the consumer must be foremost in the legislation. The subsection will not restrict an operator who wishes to enter the market, as it asks him or her to put forward a good business plan for the intended service in his or her application. Anyone who identifies a gap in the market will be able to do so within the terms of the subsection. It does not pose the problem identified by Senator O'Malley on the Government side or by my colleagues on this side.