EC to investigate complaints about state aid to CIE

PaulM · 20-03-2006, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by breakingnews.ie

The European Commission is to examine whether the amount of state aid that the Government gives to CIE is in breach of EU competition laws.

The investigation is being mounted in response to complaints from the body representing private coach operators in Ireland.

The Coach Transport and Tourism Council claims CIE has an unfair advantage as it can compete with private firms using buses bought with public money.

The European Commission is to investigate if this distorts competition and breaches EU laws governing state aid.

Sigh...... fair rises if this is considered anti-competitive.

al2637 · 20-03-2006, 12:34

Well, isn't it more the issue that the money shouldn't go directly to CIE, and there should be a competitive tender?

Nothing wrong with that in my view.

ACustomer · 20-03-2006, 12:40

Don't tell me that IE is the only railway in the EU which gets state aid on effectively a non-competitive basis. Or maybe the rules are to be obeyed by the Brits and ourselves but not by the French (of course!) and the other continentals?

al2637 · 20-03-2006, 12:48

Well, it is more for the provision of new buses for Dublin, right? At the very least there is a case to answer.

Why should DB get the money and not one of the many private operators who want to start service in the city?

I know opening the bus market is hugely complicated issue, but the private operators have a very good case.

Kevin K Kelehan · 20-03-2006, 13:39

CIE and in particular Bus Eirrean have previously been accused of anti-competitive practices when other operators enter routes. I think that at least one of those complaints will be sustained; I doubt that either Dublin Bus or IE will suffer too much grief.

PaulM · 20-03-2006, 14:46

Yeah, tendering for bus routes, with the same finance DB get would be fine.

What would be a disaster is if the government stop paying for buses and DB fares shoot through the roof.

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20-03-2006, 12:34	#2
al2637 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 191	Well, isn't it more the issue that the money shouldn't go directly to CIE, and there should be a competitive tender? Nothing wrong with that in my view.

20-03-2006, 12:40	#3
ACustomer Really Regular Poster Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 767	Don't tell me that IE is the only railway in the EU which gets state aid on effectively a non-competitive basis. Or maybe the rules are to be obeyed by the Brits and ourselves but not by the French (of course!) and the other continentals?

20-03-2006, 12:48	#4
al2637 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 191	Well, it is more for the provision of new buses for Dublin, right? At the very least there is a case to answer. Why should DB get the money and not one of the many private operators who want to start service in the city? I know opening the bus market is hugely complicated issue, but the private operators have a very good case.

20-03-2006, 13:39	#5
Kevin K Kelehan Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: West Tower Posts: 355	CIE and in particular Bus Eirrean have previously been accused of anti-competitive practices when other operators enter routes. I think that at least one of those complaints will be sustained; I doubt that either Dublin Bus or IE will suffer too much grief.

20-03-2006, 14:46	#6
PaulM Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 826	Yeah, tendering for bus routes, with the same finance DB get would be fine. What would be a disaster is if the government stop paying for buses and DB fares shoot through the roof.