'No fares' protest begins at CIE

Workers in Bus Eireann, Iarnrod Eireann and Dublin Bus are refusing to collect fares from passengers today as part of their campaign against the Government's plans to break up CIE and privatise 25% of Dublin Bus services.

Instead of a ticket, passengers with the three CIE companies will receive an information leaflet outlining the pitfalls of the Government's plans.

Unions representing the CIE workers have claimed that Transport Minister Seamus Brennan was wrong when he said that the break-up of the company would benefit both customers and taxpayers.

The unions said similar public transport models introduced in London and Copenhagen led to a deterioration in the service and a greater burden on the taxpayer.

SIPTU's Noel Dowling said he believed the public would realise the error of the Government's decision if a genuine and open debate was held.

"If we have that public debate and if, at the end of the day, the citizens of this country and everybody else comes to the conclusion that Seamus Brennan is right and that we're wrong, then the game is up and we know that" he said.

"We're not out there trying to impose our will on the public. What we're doing is calling for public debate, we're asking Seamus Brennan to reopen discussions with us."

Liam Tobin of the National Bus and Railworkers Union echoed Mr Dowling's comments, saying the minister must engage with workers or face escalating industrial confrontation.

"I think all the publicity he has been receiving from supporters such as Michael O'Leary in the private sector has convinced him that he can smash his way right through the semi-state sector, destroy the public service ethic in our society and give away companies that took decades to build," Mr Tobin said.