BUS ÉIREANN HAS said that it will co-operate with an investigation into allegations about corruption at the company.
Bus Éireann says that the allegations made by whistleblowers about a culture of kickbacks and corruption in the awarding of school bus contracts are “designed to damage its reputation through a media trial rather than through the due process of the legal system”.
A dossier containing serious allegations about the company was to be handed to gardaí by TDs today, something Bus Éireann said it welcomes.
The company said that it is prepared to “deliver a full account, and answer any questions, relating to recent allegations of corruption”.
Management appeared before the Oireachtas Transport Committee yesterday and were unable to discuss the issues due to legal advice.
They said, however, that the two ministers responsible for transport had been appraised of the situation.
“Bus Éireann has already provided a full report of an internal investigation to the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar, the Minister of State for Commuter & Public Transport Alan Kelly, and the Minister of State for Training & Skills Ciaran Cannon. In addition, this report has been sent to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Transport and the Public Accounts Committee in the spirit of openness and transparency.
“It is expected this will be published in the coming days.”
The company said that the whistleblowers had held onto their evidence for over two years.
“Bus Éireann has consistently stated that any party with evidence of wrongdoing should report the matter to the Gardai or other relevant authorities.
“In this respect, we welcome the decision by the Committee on Transport yesterday, to refer our update of matters relating to allegations of corruption, to An Garda Siochana. The company remains willing to co-operate fully with any further investigation.”
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