Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I asked the Minister three specific questions to which he did not refer. One was asked by a number of members. It is about the Minister's personal view of the proposals by Bus Éireann regarding Expressway.

Does he believe certain existing Expressway routes will never be profitable and that they may need to be transferred under the public service obligation to ensure continuity of service and that certain parts of the country currently serviced by Expressway will retain a public transport link?

With regard to the Department of Education and Skills, a number of members and I asked about a review of the school transport scheme. The Department of Education and Skills currently pays Bus Éireann to operate the scheme. Is that Department's funding cross-subsidising other elements of Bus Éireann? I would like a simple answer of "yes" or "no".

The witness said they would like to see an increase in the subvention. I hope the Minister is successful in his battle with his colleagues around the Cabinet table in this regard. Will there be criteria attached to any increase in the subvention to Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus or Irish Rail? The 13% increase in 2016, of which the Minister spoke, related to new projects. Will the same apply in 2017?