Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on public transport, specifically Dublin Bus, when the House returns after the Christmas break. Dublin Bus recently set about changing its routes. I am aware of reductions in service in parts of Dublin, especially in the Lucan-Palmerstown area. The deterioration in service being experienced by people in the area gives rise to major competition issues and the Minister must come before the House to discuss them. A private company which operated in competition with Dublin Bus in the Lucan-Palmerstown area is no longer operating and Dublin Bus has withdrawn certain services, resulting in a significant deterioration in the local bus service. People are beginning to use their cars again because the bus service is ineffective.

In raising the Government's record on reform I refer specifically to recent newspaper reports and information that has emerged on appointments to State boards. The Government talks about reforming politics, including the Seanad, yet here we have the same old story of appointments being made without a transparent process. The Government has not acted on the suggestion of the Green Party that appointments be made by way of committees. Approximately 300 people are to be appointed to State boards by the outgoing Government without transparency or reform of the appointments process. This is not acceptable and I ask the Leader and Deputy Leader to exert influence on the Government in this matter and show they are serious about reform.