Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I support Senator McDowell's comments on judicial appointments. The kernel of the issue put forward by the Minister is somewhat spurious and I do not think it is helpful.

I would like to join in the expressions of sympathy to the families of both Captain Mark Duffy and Captain Dara Fitzpatrick who lost their lives. I hope the two others lost in the same rescue can be found as soon as possible. I join with the comments commending the people of Erris who have shown their true grit and humanity in responding to and supporting the search and rescue operation that is still under way.

I rise in particular on the matter of the Bus Éireann strike. As a general principle, I agree with the Minister's position. The State has industrial dispute resolution mechanisms and they are there for a reason, but there are many bigger issues here that warrant the Minister to move on the matter in some fashion.

First, it has to be clear that there is a management issue. It has been said that Bus Éireann has made a 41% increase in the losses on Expressway in the period of one year. Staff are being asked to take considerable cuts in their wages. Is management taking any wage cuts? I understand they are not. In an environment when this should have been well anticipated, why are we now at crisis and facing insolvency? If there are issues around management, faced with what we are faced in Bus Éireann, some action is required on the part of the Minister. This is in the context of public transport provision to rural areas and its commercial viability, in particular the people using bus passes on Expressway. It is suggested that Bus Éireann is not being properly compensated for the use of bus passes even though it is being asked to operate as a commercial concern.

There are a lot of questions there and the bull needs to be grabbed by the horns. I ask that the Minister would do that.