Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

342. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or his Department's officials have met with any representatives of private bus companies in the past number of weeks; if so, if they discussed the threatened dispute at Bus Éireann and the provision of additional services by private bus companies during any dispute; and if so, the number of meetings and so on. [12555/17]

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

343. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to meetings or actions by the NTA to encourage or licence additional services from private bus companies in the event of any dispute at Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12556/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

​I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.

No, neither I nor my Department have had any meetings with representatives of private bus operators in the past number of weeks.

For the Deputy's information, since assuming office in May 2016 I have had just one introductory meeting with representatives of private bus operators.

The other issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply.Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.