I propose to take Questions Nos. 688 to 693, inclusive, together.
The objective of Government is to ensure a system of public transport throughout the country that is as efficient and as widespread as possible and the National Transport Authority has a key role in realising this objective. The award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts for the bus market falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has direct responsibility for this area. Currently, the NTA is considering how best publicly subvented bus services will be provided in the future.
The direct award contracts for the provision of PSO bus market services held by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann expire late next year. The awarding of the licences for the services thereafter is a matter for the NTA and not for Government, but I have kept the Cabinet updated on the process. Both Minister Kelly and I met with trade unions representing workers in Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann last week in relation to the proposals outlined by the NTA in the recent consultation process.
It is recognised that there are a number of concerns in relation to potential tendering for PSO services. These include the impact on industrial relations and cost savings measures within CIE at a general level and the specific implications of Transfer of Undertakings legislation (TUPE) and related issues. However, it must be recognised that the proposals outlined in the consultation process are relatively modest and there will be a long-lead in before any tendering takes effect. Furthermore, it is of course open to the two incumbent companies to compete for any tendered routes, so it should not be assumed that there will be any reductions in staff numbers or that TUPE will even arise.
Subject to the decision of the NTA following its consultation processes, these issues need to be addressed by it and the bus companies through constructive engagement with the unions in the course of the procurement process over the next two years. I undertook to the trade unions at our meeting that I would contact the NTA to seek to have such a structured engagement put in place.