The Minister for Transport, Paschal Donohoe yesterday criticized the decision by SIPTU and NBRU members employed at Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann to hold a series of strikes over the May bank holiday. He claimed it would be damaging to the economy.

The Minister said, "It is extremely disappointing to learn that SIPTU workers have voted to stage four days of strikes, beginning on the May bank holiday weekend and continuing two weeks later and that those in the NBRU are planning a further 72 hour stoppage from 29-31 May. This will cause considerable disruption across the country, will deprive the economy, which is slowly recovering, of revenue and will cause widespread disruption for the travelling public and those visiting from abroad’.

I have reiterated my support for both Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann on numerous occasions, demonstrated by the fact that €180 million was invested in the companies, by the taxpayer, last year in PSO funding and support for the upgrading and modernisation of their fleets. I have also given a commitment to seek an increase in subvention funds into the future to enable expansion in the years ahead.

Allowing for a degree of competitive tension in the market will ensure better value for money for the taxpayer and improved quality of service for commuters and I am committed to that objective. Both companies are open to compete for the routes that are going out to tender. I have also made it clear that I am open to continuing discussions in a bid to address employees’ concerns. The companies also remain available to resume discussions with the unions at the LRC and I would urge the unions to avail of that in a bid to prevent this strike from going ahead and to avoid unnecessary disruption to the public and to the wider economy."

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