Mr. Dermot O'Leary:

While public transport is certainly underfunded, the NTA, which does not physically operate any transport service and acts as regulator and authority, does not appear to have problems sourcing funds for its own budget, staff and administration costs, which were, according to its latest accounts, approximately €8 million, including defined benefit pensions. Incidentally, the modest defined benefit pension of most bus workers - €125 per week after 40 years' service and contributing nearly €40,000 - is under grave threat due to funding cuts and Government rules on bond allocation. My presentation outlines some of the spend of the NTA or, as we like to call it, the HSE on wheels. That money would be better directed towards passenger services.

Furthermore, the NTA views itself as a replica of Transport for London, which has led to soaring costs for the British taxpayer to the tune of a 5,108% increase in subsidies. At the same time, the subvention to the CIE group has reduced from €321 million to €188 million. That is a 41% decrease.