Madam, - Since Seamus Brennan became Minister for Transport he has consistently touted competition as the solution to every kind of transport problem. Indeed, he seems to think it will be sufficient in itself to move people into and around Dublin more quickly.
My understanding of competition is that it advocates the unfettered operation of the market, subject to overall regulation by government or delegated authority. However, numerous media reports this week detailing Mr Brennan's opposition to the European Commission seeking the return of taxpayers' subsidies to Ryanair suggest that he doesn't have the same understanding of competition policy at all at all.
What I can't quite grasp is this: if Mr Brennan believes that taxpayer subsidies for public enterprise bodies, e.g. Aer Lingus are inherently bad, why does he believe that taxpayer subsidies (in the form of discounted charges) are good for private sector companies such as Ryanair? Does this mean that if he privatises a proportion of Dublin Bus routes he will subsidise the private operator(s) but not the publicly run routes?
Mr Brennan's simple reiteration of his belief in competition has so far saved him from the trouble of analysing the needs of Dublin commuters. But in view of his utterances this week the public needs a full exposition of the Brennan doctrine. Otherwise, bewilderment rules. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN WHITE, Lakelands Close, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.