Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a number of questions for the NTA. Ms Graham said there was a review of the rural transport programme. What issues were identified in the review and what actions have been taken on that? Another issue is fares. Given the steady rise in fares in recent years, has the NTA plans to increase fares further? Ms Graham referred to the rise in capacity numbers since 2014. How does the NTA expect to manage that increase in capacity? Is the current subvention adequate? Has it plans to expand the bus fleet?

In respect of Iarnród Éireann, does it intend to increase the number of carriages, particularly at peak times? We all know that many trains are grossly overcrowded at peak times. I raised that issue with Iarnród Éireann previously but did not get a response on it. I would have liked to hear an update on the tendering process for Dublin Bus. I am referring to Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann but I am sure I should refer to the NTA; they are all the one now. Mr. Franks mentioned the annual PSO funding for Irish Rail being reduced from €195 million to €98 million. He had raised concerns about safety and service. How can he assure the public that the service Irish Rail provides is safe given the staggering decrease in funding in the past seven years?

How can we be confident that it is providing that safe service? Have any safety audits been carried out over recent years or as a result of lack of funding and, if so, what have been the results?

A matter which is a huge bone of contention is one which it is hard to credit is still happening in 2016. I refer to the train from Belfast to Dublin. We are trying to provide a service for a growing economy and to encourage public transport use. That train does not get into Dublin before 9 a.m. What other intercity rail service would be able to say that it could not get commuters from one city to another before 9 o'clock in the morning? That has been ongoing. Has anything been done to address that or is it being put on the long finger?

Looking at the Dublin Bus statement, I am glad that it acknowledges the contribution and commitment of the workers in returning the company to profit. The workers' contribution in bringing Dublin Bus back to profit was instrumental. It is acknowledged in the statement but it is something the company might say publicly at some stage to recognise their work and commitment. Dublin Bus mentioned funding for the fleet in its opening statement. Can Dublin Bus profits be used for that? How underfunded is the fleet aspect of the service?

The following comes in under the NTA also, but Bus Éireann recently announced the separation of the Expressway service not only from the rest of the service, but also to change workers' pay and conditions. We have spoken about this many times before. It is sometimes hard to credit that anybody can justify it given the experience of privatisation right across Europe and how it costs more for the public purse in the long run. If Bus Éireann has a vision, and it talked earlier about connectivity and providing a service and delivering for commuters and customers, how can it even begin to convince people that, if our Expressway service is put out for privatisation or given over to private companies to run, a private operator will not come in and cream off the most profitable routes and leave the least profitable routes abandoned? That has happened the world over. When we talk about rural inclusion and social inclusion, to attempt to do what Bus Éireann is doing will isolate rural communities the length and breadth of the State. It is something I would be opposed to and it shows a lack of vision on the part of the company. I do not know if the company has asked the Minister for funding around that. That is a catastrophe for our public transport network.