Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

All of us would be pleased if the integrated ticketing system were already in place. However, I have outlined the facts of the case and pointed to the further information that will be available by the end of November. It will take two years before the system is in operation because of the various obstacles we must overcome.

It was in March 2002, not 2000, that the RPA was given statutory responsibility for the delivery of what could be described as a multi-operator system of integrated public transport ticketing use. As Deputy McEntee said, the cost was estimated at €29.6 million but is now projected to be €42.7 million. At the end of 2005, as Deputy Shortall observed, €9.5 million had been paid to the RPA in respect of the integrated ticketing project. Some progress has been made. Smart cards were issued by the RPA in April 2004 for use on the services of Morton Coaches and, later, on the Luas service. We must ensure we get everything right. There are genuine business concerns which remain to be resolved.

The report of the integrated ticketing project board will be made available as soon as possible.

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