Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The duration of the contract is five years rather than ten, which has been a concern for a number of Senators. It can be reviewed or altered by the authority at any stage, which is important. The CIE companies are obliged to pass an efficient operator test and it is very important for existing services to continue where their operation is urgently needed.

The other important consideration is that the EU regulations are such that a degree of openness and transparency which has not always been the experience heretofore, as mentioned by Senator O'Malley, is a requirement. If people came slowly to the table in that respect, we could expect to see more movement in the near future.