Allister raps Executive over bus contracts
31 August 2012
TUV Leader Jim Allister has criticised the Department of the Environment for permitting Republic of Ireland bus operators to be accomodated with Northern Ireland operating licences, instead of the authorities ensuring the lucrative school bus run contracts were re-tendered so that local operators could apply.
For years three ROI bus companies have been providing school transport for the Western Education Board. Now it has been confirmed that the contracts did not comply with EU law which prohibits such permanent contracts for services inside a member state from outside it - 'cabotage' rules. The Federation of Passenger Transport Northern Ireland (FPTNI) has been complaining for years that the law was being flouted, but it was only last November that DOE sought legal advice, received in spring 2012, which confirmed the FPTNI contention. Yet, the DOE Minister did not intervene till June 2012, causing suspension of the contracts at a point when the 2011/12 school year was finished.
Now, however, instead of the Western Education and Library Board undertaking a re-tendering process, which would enable local operators to compete, DOE is facilitating the granting of NI licences to the same ROI companies so that they can carry on benefitting from the lucrative work.
Commenting Jim Allister said, "This whole saga has been mishandled from the outset. First it took years for DOE to act - indeed, it is noteworthy that none of his DUP predecessors at DOE bothered to do anything, but Alex Atwood then delayed acting on the legal advice he obtained for several months. When he did act his department has now moved to regularise the situation, to the disadvantage of NI providers, by offering NI licences to the same ROI firms. Patently, these contracts should have been retendered.
"There is not much point in the Executive trumpeting its commitment to local jobs and then ensuring available earnings and jobs go elsewhere."
Note to editors:
A comprehensive analysis of the situation is set out at
http://www.thedetail.tv/issues/118/department-took-years-to-address-unlawful-school-bus-contracts/department-took-years-to-address-unlawful-school-bus-contracts
For years three ROI bus companies have been providing school transport for the Western Education Board. Now it has been confirmed that the contracts did not comply with EU law which prohibits such permanent contracts for services inside a member state from outside it - 'cabotage' rules. The Federation of Passenger Transport Northern Ireland (FPTNI) has been complaining for years that the law was being flouted, but it was only last November that DOE sought legal advice, received in spring 2012, which confirmed the FPTNI contention. Yet, the DOE Minister did not intervene till June 2012, causing suspension of the contracts at a point when the 2011/12 school year was finished.
Now, however, instead of the Western Education and Library Board undertaking a re-tendering process, which would enable local operators to compete, DOE is facilitating the granting of NI licences to the same ROI companies so that they can carry on benefitting from the lucrative work.
Commenting Jim Allister said, "This whole saga has been mishandled from the outset. First it took years for DOE to act - indeed, it is noteworthy that none of his DUP predecessors at DOE bothered to do anything, but Alex Atwood then delayed acting on the legal advice he obtained for several months. When he did act his department has now moved to regularise the situation, to the disadvantage of NI providers, by offering NI licences to the same ROI firms. Patently, these contracts should have been retendered.
"There is not much point in the Executive trumpeting its commitment to local jobs and then ensuring available earnings and jobs go elsewhere."
Note to editors:
A comprehensive analysis of the situation is set out at
http://www.thedetail.tv/issues/118/department-took-years-to-address-unlawful-school-bus-contracts/department-took-years-to-address-unlawful-school-bus-contracts
