Luas drivers briefed TDs at a cross party meeting organised by Brid Smith in Dáil today. The meeting was well attended with representatives from a number of parties and independents, including People Before Profit, Anti-Austerity Alliance, Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail and Independent TDs such as Catherine Connolly, Seamus Healy and Thomas Pringle. Other TDs who could not attend expressed support.

Bríd Smith TD of People Before Profit is calling on Paschal Donohone to make available to TDs the contract signed between Transdev and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

There were questions over how Transdev could be losing money when passenger numbers have increased dramatically in recent years – now up to 35 million and expected to reach 45 million by 2019

She also called on Gerry Madden to reveal his own salary and bonuses and the salaries and bonuses of the top executives that work for his company.

Bríd Smith said “this meeting was organised as an opportunity for Luas workers to debunk the myths and dishonest propaganda emanating from Transdev, the operators of the Luas.

There was general consensus amongst the legislators that the dispute had not been accurately represented so far and that the point of view of the workers had not been fully heard.

In particular, the workers argument about how the extension of their rosters to nine and half hours might have consequences for driver fatigue has not been fully reported.

Transdev’s claim that they are not making profits was queried by a number of TDs. Legislators need to be provided with further information on profits repatriated by Transdev to their parent company in France.”

Ends

Contact-

Nick Lee- 087 615 6473