Mr. Tim Duggan:

The discount that applies to CIE services, which includes Bus Éireann, is 40%. The discount to private operators is currently 30%. There is a difference. They are not comparable in the true sense because the amount that is paid is based on surveys, in the case of private operators, and, in the case of CIE, it is based on a service charge. They are not directly comparable. One could ask why there is a difference in the discounting rate of 40% and 30%. I suspect that it is historical and arises from when an attempt was made years ago to encourage private operators to get into the business of providing travel services to people who are eligible for free travel.