Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 June 2014
176. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of different versions of the report into corruption in Bus Éireann's administration of the school transport contract did the audit review group in Bus Éireann sign off on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24965/14]
View answer177. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of different versions of the report into corruption in Bus Éireann's administration of the school transport contract on which the chairman of Bus Éireann (details supplied) sign off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24966/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
Responsibility for the School Transport Scheme lies with my colleague Mr. Ciarán Cannon, T.D, Minister for Training and Skills.
There was an article in the Mail on Sunday on 13th April, 2014 detailing allegations of bribery and corruption in the award of contracts under the School Transport Scheme. On foot of this, Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly, Minister of State for Training & Skills, Ciarán Cannon, and I sought a full report from Bus Éireann about this matter.
I have been advised by Bus Éireann that the company completed one report entitled ‘Report into allegations of misconduct of Bus Éireann employees with respect to the operation of the School Transport Scheme’ on April 28th. This report was submitted to Ministers Kelly, Cannon and I. It was also submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and the Public Accounts Committee.
It was decided by Bus Éireann that the report be published on the company website but should not identify any parties. Bus Éireann advise that as a result, some small amendments were made to protect the identities of these individuals. Bus Éireann has stated that, unfortunately, an earlier draft version was mistakenly amended and then published on the website. This was an error on the company’s behalf, which was acknowledged and has now been rectified. Therefore there are two almost identical versions in existence: one given to the Ministers and the Committees and a slightly amended version of this final report now published on the Bus Éireann website, for the protection of identities.
