asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his attention has been drawn to recent reports concerning the possible handing over of sections of CIE services, in particular the Dublin bus service, to private enterprise; and if he will make a full statement as to the Government's intentions in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Services.
16.
It is the view of the Government that it is desirable that the public transport services should continue to be operated under one nationalised administration, by which a co-ordinated policy can be pursued, over-lapping interests reconciled, and economical administration achieved.
The Government hope that conditions that facilitate this policy will continue to prevail, but as the overriding consideration must be the provision of efficient and economic public transport services, adequate to the country's requirements, policy must be regarded as open to review from time to time in the light of changing conditions.
So far the necessity to formulate definitive proposals for a change in the structure of CIE has not arisen.