Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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263. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he or his officials have held with Bus Éireann management regarding their plans to change the expressway service since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27906/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, last week Bus Éireann met trade unions in the Workplace Relations Commission to discuss a pay claim. At that meeting Bus Éireann management raised the issue of the loss-making in the company's commercial "Expressway" service and indicated a desire to open discussions with trade unions as regards potential options to address these losses which are significant and impacting upon the Company's overall financial performance. Last year for example the Company lost €5 million and losses this year are expected to reach approximately €6million. Clearly the losses require the Board and management of the Company to examine available options in order to restore financial stability and safeguard the interests of employees, stakeholders and the general public.

The issues facing the Company have obviously informed discussions held between my Department and the Company in recent months. On 12 September I met the Chair and CEO of Bus Éireann, who gave me a wide ranging overview of the challenges and opportunities faced by the company across all of its business units - school transport services, PSO services and the commercial Expressway service.  A number of issues were discussed including an outline for the future of the company and the need to find a reasonable way forward from its present loss-making position.  The meeting did not discuss any detailed plan and at no stage did I convey any agreement whatsoever; the meeting was a briefing on relevant issues, and was one of a series of meetings I have been having with the heads of the State entities under my aegis.

I am aware that the Board is concerned to address the level of losses and has been working to find a way to return the company to a sustainable position.  In this regard, I welcome the Company's statement earlier this week that it is commissioning an independent review of its plans and hope that through this, combined with open engagement with employees, a way forward can be found which will restore the Company to profitability and allow it move forward in a sustainable manner.