National News

'An Bord Snip Nua' Cutbacks

'An Bord Snip Nua' cutback proposals would have a significant social & economic impact for working people and the most vulnerable in our society. If these recommendations are fully implemented, Ireland will be faced with devastating social consequences for decades to come.

The implications of this report are wide-ranging and potentially very damaging for our social infrastructure. The measures within it could lead to the dismantling of our health service and social welfare system. Our already under resourced education system will come under even more pressure as the pupil-teacher ratio is increased and the number of special needs assistants is reduced which is crucial to ensuring that all of our children have access to the educational opportunities that allows them to achieve their full potential.

Public transport is also targeted in this report. The main proposals regarding our industry are as follows:

Bus Eireann to sell its expressway operations. This will reduce the cross subsidy that is currently available to fund loss making services.

Cuts to the education budget include a reduction in expenditure on school bus services.

They are expecting the CIE group of companies to deliver efficiency savings of 55 million Euros.

Consideration to be given to closing some rail lines. Three routes get a specific mention: Limerick Junction to Rosslare; Limerick to Ballybrophy and Manulla to Ballina.

It also argues that there should be no further development of the Western Rail Corridor.

They are also calling for the Rail Procurement Agency to be merged with National Roads authority.

If these measures are fully implemented, you will almost certainly face further attacks on your terms and conditions and jobs will go. These proposals have the potential to see the public transport system that we are all proud to work in run into the ground. The privatisation of Bus Eireann Exoressway will provide fertile ground for free marketeers. Private operators and speculators will start looking for opportunities to increasingly take ownership of public transport in Ireland for the benefit of their shareholders and the Fat Cats in their Boardrooms.

Your union will stand shoulder to shoulder with you and your colleagues in fighting any proposal that will attack your living standards. We also have to ensure that we campaign hard to maintain public ownership of transport in Ireland so that it continues to serve the needs of all in our society.

It is now more crucial than ever that as union members we stand together to protect our jobs and our industry. We will soon be holding meetings with your Reps across the CIE group to see how best we can start campaigning against these proposals. We will of course keep you posted of developments.

Gerry Doherty: General Secretary

Registered Office: Nerney's Court, Off Temple Street, Dublin 1