Privatisation rolls on

national | miscellaneous | news report Friday November 22, 2002 12:18 by C. - Art. 133 info group

What did Seamus Brennan have on his mind when he announced privatisation in transport

An examination of the leaked documents (attached) regarding the article 133 committee meetings gives an insight into whats happening to our buses. Seamus Brennan announced the privatisation of 25% of the buses and the abolition of CIE on the same day that this committee met to discuss requests for the liberalisation of transport across Europe.

The NBRU is balloting it's workers about strike action because of this. The IPU is engaged in a dispute with An Post over the pay for postmasters (look at what else was discussed on the 6th). Other workers are beginning to get nervous as the public service workers are being blamed for our national finances - benchmarking looks dodgy and the pressure is really on ahead of partnership.

But the synchronicity of timing on the CIE announcement has to be the biggest clue to whats really going on. Seamus Brennan would of been briefed prior to the Irish rep.'s going over to the 6th Nov. considering requests to liberalise transport under GATS. His announcement, the same day, of Irelands moves in that direction sent a clear message to those attending who could of come from countries less inclined to dismantle their public services.

The bus workers need to be supported.
Watch out for announcements on health and education aroudnt he 27th Nov. (this is the stuff they promised they wouldn't touch? so why are they meeting to discuss it?).

Leaked docs:

> >Preparation of Gats offer from EC and its Member States
> >
> >Tentative timeline
> >
> >2 October 2002
> >Initial assessment in 133-Services Committee of requests to EC and
> >its Member States in the fields of professional and financial
> >services in addition to horizontal issues of real estate and
> >investment.
> >
> >16 October 2002
> >Initial assessment in 133-Services Committee of requests to EC and
> >its Member States in the fields of computer, construction,
> >distribution and business services.
> >Member States complete inital assessment of national level
> >restrictions targeted in incoming requests.
> >
> >21 October 1 November 2002
> >CTS and bilateral meetings in Geneva.
> >
> >6 November 2002
> >Initial assessment in 133-Services Committee of requests to EC and
> >its Member States in the fields of tele-communication, postal- and
> >couriere, environmental, transport and energy services in addition
> >to horizontal issue of mode 4.
> >
> >27 November 2002
> >Initial assessment in 133-Services Committee of requests to EC and
> >its Member States in the fields of Tourism, education, health,
> >audio-visual, recreational andfinancial services in addition to
> >horizontal issues of mode 4, public utilities and subsidies.
> >
> >2-13 December 2002
> >CTS and bilateral meetings in Geneva.
> >
> >18 December 2002
> >Assessment in 133-Services Committee of state of the play.
> >
> >Mid-January 2003
> >Commission present 1st draft initial offer.
> >
> >Mid-February 2003
> >Member States comment on 1st draft.
> >
> >Mid-march 2003
> >Commission present 2nd draft initial offer.
> >
> >End-March 2003
> >Member States endorse initial offer.
> >
> >31 March 2003
> >Submission in Geneva of initial offer.