Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 8, between lines 32 and 33, 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,".

I welcome the Minister. We missed him the previous day because the Minister of State did not give us any leeway on our amendments. We hope for better things today.

In considering an application for a licence the adoption of the amendment would ensure the authority "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". As I indicated on Committee Stage, the amendment does not seek more favourable treatment for operators of public bus services, only that they not be treated less favourably. The rationale for the amendment is that given where we are coming from in terms of the history of public transport, there might be a tendency to favour private operators at this stage. I am interested in hearing the Minister's response.