Statement by Ministers Leo Varadkar and Ciaran Cannon

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar, Minister of State for Commuter & Public Transport Alan Kelly, and Minister of State for Training & Skills Ciaran Cannon have considered the story in today’s Mail on Sunday regarding school transport tenders operated by Bus Eireann.

The Ministers said corruption is a criminal offence and they treat any such allegations extremely seriously.

The Ministers have called on the former contractor to immediately report this matter to the Gardaì and to furnish any evidence in his possession to the Gardaì. An Garda Sìochána is the only body with the competence to investigate allegations of a crime of this nature.

Equally, the Ministers also stated that all individuals are entitled to have their good name protected and must be considered innocent until proven otherwise.

The Ministers have sought a full report on this matter from Bus Eireann and have invited the former contractor to send any evidence in his possession to the Departments of Transport, Tourism & Sport and to the Department of Education & Skills.