Mr. Dermot O'Leary:

May I rephrase the answer? I am merely seeking to answer the question I was asked. A French company owned by the French Government is operating a light rail system in this country and it receives €150 million for doing so under a five-year contract. Taxpayers' money is being paid to a company owned by the French Government. The contract will be up for renewal in 2019 and taxpayers' money will go towards the operating costs of that company.

Deputy Munster asked about the National Transport Authority guidelines. The Act provides that the NTA take account of the demand or potential demand that exists for the public bus passenger services to which the application refers, having regard to the needs of the consumer and any existing public bus passenger service on or in the vicinity of the route to be served by the proposed public bus transport services. I noted the excessive capacity that has arisen as a result of the NTA ignoring this aspect of its guidelines.

Senator Feighan, who has left the meeting, made a point to which I would like to briefly respond. Mr. Noone also touched on the issue in his contribution. The Senator asked how we know increased subvention will improve services. What we know is that when subvention is reduced, services disimprove.

Senator Feighan also inquired whether transport supports business. In his appearance before the committee some weeks ago, Mr. Ray Coyne, the CEO of Dublin Bus, stated that Dublin Bus was responsible for providing transport services to those who account for 39% of retail spend in Dublin. I presume that figure can be extrapolated to other towns and villages. It is clear, therefore, that transport supports business.