merrion street

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar and Minister of State for Commuter Transport Alan Kelly note the decision by the board of Dublin Bus to proceed with the implementation of its Cost Recovery Plan on Sunday November 17th.

Minister Varadkar today briefed Cabinet on the need to deliver savings under the Cost Recovery Plan to safeguard the future of Dublin Bus, and the jobs and services it provides. Cabinet agreed that there is no basis for further negotiations or interventions as all avenues have been exhausted.

The Government is fully supportive of Dublin Bus and will stand by the company in the event of industrial action. Any strike will be prolonged and costly for all sides. Both Ministers still hope that it can be avoided.

Both Ministers called on SIPTU to join with all the other grades in accepting the overall outcome of the vote and the views of the staff as a whole, as the latest proposals have been accepted by a clear majority of the drivers in the company, and a clear majority of the staff represented by all unions.

The Ministers called on SIPTU members not to vote for strike action in their ballot next week. The Ministers also acknowledged that SIPTU is planning to engage with SIPTU drivers in Dublin Bus in the near future.