John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 1 October 2014, in which it was stated that Bus Éireann would not be privatised and there would be no loss of services to Waterford, if he will acknowledge that this has not been the case and that already many major routes have been scrapped from the services provided here, County Waterford being one of the most affected areas in the country since the announcement; that following privatisation there will be nothing preventing private contractors paying minimum wages to experienced employees; that there is no obligation contained within European Union legislation forcing the move to privatise 10% of the transport service; the outcome of negotiations between the National Transport Authority and the Department of Social Protection in relation to the honouring of free travel passes going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16854/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 1 which I answered earlier.

​In relation to the Deputy's comments on negotiations between the National Transport Authority and the Department of Social Protection on the question of honouring the Free Travel Passes going forward, this matter is being pursued directly by the NTA with the Department of Social Protection.