Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Courtney mentioned that there was an opportunity to examine raising revenue in a different way other than by subvention. Will he expand on that? There is great concern that the way Dublin Bus, or the general group of CIE companies, has dealt with the loss in revenues in recent years, in line with a reduction in fare revenue, in passenger numbers and in subvention, has been made up, to some extent, by cost-cutting, which is fair enough, and an increase in fares.

Everybody accepts that there is an elasticity around the whole fare structure. If there is anything to suggest that is the model Mr. Courtney intends to pursue for the increase in fares, that would be a matter of deep concern. Alongside that, we have got to see a situation where we get a modal shift, which has not been as successful as had generally been expected. If we are to encourage people onto the public transport system, we certainly cannot go down the road of increased fares. So, can Mr. Courtney-----