Written answers

Thursday, 19 January 2017

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Bus Éireann

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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280. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has arranged a meeting with Bus Éireann in view of the leaked Grant Thornton report, which reported cuts to Bus Éireann express routes that will have a detrimental effect on counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2338/17]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, Bus Éireann is developing plans to address its financial position. The Company is currently loss-making and these losses are not sustainable. The Deputy may recall that a few months ago, the Chairman of Bus Éireann announced that the Board had commissioned a firm of consultants, Grant Thornton, to review proposals for Bus Éireann which the company's management had drawn up, and to advise the Board on those proposals. Last week I met the Chair of the Company who briefed me on the report that had been presented to the Board by the consultants a few days previously. It seems that an early version of that report - but not the version that was presented to the Board last week - was reported upon in the media last week. It is important to note that the Grant Thornton report is an analysis prepared as advice for a Board which reviews some options, provides a critique of them and makes suggestions for further areas to consider; the report is not a plan in itself, and it was not intended that it would be a plan.  On foot of the report and the Board's deliberations, the Company is now engaged in preparing a plan for its future and will be developing and finalising this over the coming weeks.

The Chairman updated me on the very serious situation the Company faces and assured me that the Board is resolved to address the situation and to restore the company to a sustainable position. The Chair indicated that an invitation would issue shortly to trade unions to commence discussions on proposals. I am firmly of the belief that difficult issues such as this can only be resolved through open, constructive and realistic engagement between the company and its employees and I encourage both sides to engage constructively on the matter. 

Separately to my meeting with the Company Chair, I also met with the National Transport Authority who outlined to me their powers and responsibilities in relation to the provision of public transport services. I was assured by the NTA that it will work with local communities to maintain an appropriate level of public transport connectivity in the event of any reconfiguration of existing services.

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