Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not understand this. Debate on this legislation in the Seanad was lengthy and included a substantial number of amendments in relation to taxis. Following completion of the Seanad debate on the Bill it was then returned to the Dáil. The Bill has now been returned to the Seanad with an additional provision, which has nothing to do with taxis. Senator Barrett has outlined the situation very well, in particular in terms of his description of what happened between Dublin and Galway. I can recall when only one bus service operated between Dublin and Galway. There is now a selection of bus services on that route. This is a reminder of the benefits of competitive tendering.

I do not understand the reason for the inclusion of the word "exclusive". Senator Barrett has explained the benefits of having a bus service in terms of every other aspect of what we are doing. Why not include airlines? I am sure that like me all Senators remember the time when only two airlines, one British and one Irish, operated between Dublin and London and no competition was permitted. Competition in this area was subsequently introduced, leading to the reduction from £290 to, in some cases, €5 in the cost of a flight from Dublin to London. I do not understand the reason for the inclusion of bus services in taxi legislation. I also do not understand from where the idea of not having competitive tendering has come. It is against everything we stand for. It is akin to soviet Russia when the State ran everything. Let us ensure we do not go in that direction. If this step is necessary, it should have been done openly and argued for under bus transport legislation.